Announcing new partnership between UCS & The Somerville Foundation

University Campus Suffolk (UCS) and The Somerville Foundation, a specialist charity supporting patients with heart conditions, have partnered to establish a new state-of-the-art research centre based in Suffolk.

The centre will focus on finding more effective ways to treat and support individuals with congenital heart conditions and will utilise UCS’s expertise in cardiovascular science, exercise physiology and psychology.

World-renowned cardiovascular biologist Dr Christopher Turner, Lecturer in Biosciences at UCS, said “Congential Heart Defects (CHD) are the most common type of birth defect and the leading cause of infant death in the UK. Recent advances in medicine have improved survival rates, but many patients face physical limitations and an uncertain lifespan into their adulthood. We hope that the research undertaken at this new centre will improve the lives of individuals with congenital heart disease and improve the cardiac screening of the young in the UK.”

Work that will help patients manage their heart condition has already started, with researchers looking into the effects of behaviour and exercise on cardiac function. The partnership will formally launch in April 2016 with the opening of The Somerville Foundation’s ‘Scarred for life’ exhibition at the Waterfront Gallery at UCS.

Richard Lister, Provost and Chief Executive of UCS, said “We are delighted to partner with The Somerville Foundation. They have an established history of supporting those with heart conditions. We know there are estimated to be over 250,000 adults who were born with a heart condition in the UK so there is much to be learnt and we hope our expertise at University Campus Suffolk can go on to make a difference to the lives of those affected. We are well placed at UCS with leading academics and world-class research facilities.”

Rob Nicoll, The Somerville Foundation Chairman, stated “This is a huge leap forward and the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the understanding of congenital heart disease.”

John Richardson, National Director of The Somerville Foundation added “We have seen patients’ lives cut tragically short as a result of their illness. We know that there is a world of new discoveries, better treatments and surgical techniques that will in the future help those born with heart conditions live longer, healthier, happier lives. Our partnership with University Campus Suffolk provides a fantastic new opportunity for patients.”