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New Beatson cancer centre opens
01/02/2008
The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre based at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's Gartnavel Hospital was officially opened today.
Opening the centre, First Minister Alex Salmond said its pioneering work is at the very heart of Scotland's fight against cancer.
Mr Salmond said:
"For many years, the "Beatson" has played a vital role in improving the health and lives of the people of Scotland. The Health Secretary has regularly updated Cabinet on the pioneering work underway and her visits to the new facilities. I have never been in any doubt that the new centre is a fitting testament to the work started by Dr George Beatson.
"However, after meeting the staff and patients and seeing these state of the art medical facilities firsthand - today's visit has still managed to exceed expectations.
"Scotland's fight against cancer is led by a dedicated NHS workforce, cutting edge technology and ground-breaking clinical research. The Beatson's greatest strength is its ability to bring all these things together, under one roof, to ensure people get the outstanding healthcare and support they need - and when they most need it.
"Its impressive and inspiring environment has clearly been developed around the need to provide the best possible treatment for the 9000 patients who will come through its door each year.
"There have been many partners involved in making this centre a reality. I congratulate them all and thank them for developing this centre and helping us to provide Scotland the best possible chance of winning the fight against cancer."
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing Nicola Sturgeon said:
"It is also a great pleasure for me to mark the official opening of this magnificent centre.
"I have now been here on a number of occasions, most recently to open the Friends of the Beatson centre and every time, I have been enormously impressed by the work done here and the commitment and enthusiasm of all the staff. I have absolutely no doubt that we should all be very proud of what has been achieved here over the last few years.
"This new facility, with its interior design and decoration shaped by patients, is an example of what can be done by working in partnership - a partnership involving NHS staff, charities and, of course, the contractors who built and finished the building itself supported by funding from the public and voluntary sectors.
"All that we see here today is also a result of the seeking out and implementing innovative ways of delivering services that not only meet the needs of patients but also provide them in ways that better meet the expectations of patients, carers and their families."
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's Chairman, Andrew Robertson, said:
"Completing the world-class package of cancer care, the Beatson is staffed by some of the most skilled and dedicated healthcare professionals in the country. I am delighted that the new centre offers staff such a wonderful environment in which to deliver specialist and vitally important cancer services. Cancer patients from throughout the West of Scotland will undoubtedly benefit from all that this outstanding facility has to offer. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the support of the Scottish Government and our charitable partners to whom we are all very grateful."