Developing a new imaging strategy

01 Jun 2017

Recommendations following the recent review of our current facilities

Many colleagues will be aware that the Faculty has undertaken a review of its biomedical and clinical imaging facilities to determine how these should be developed going forward to ensure continued research excellence.

The aim of the review was to deliver a more translational approach to biology, medicine and health and closer collaboration with our MAHSC partners. More recently, the awards to Manchester’s Cancer Research UK Centre, Biomedical Research Centre and Clinical Research Facilities – representing a total investment of £83 million in biomedical and clinical research in the city – have been factored into the review process, resulting in a number of key recommendations, which have now been approved by the Faculty Leadership Team.

A new FBMH Imaging Leadership Team

In order to provide strategic leadership and direction for imaging, we are in the process of appointing a Director of Imaging who will head a new FBMH Imaging Leadership Team (ILT).

Reporting directly to Professor Ian Greer, Vice-President and Dean, the new director will be responsible for developing a new vision and mission for imaging that will reinforce our MAHSC partnerships and lay the foundations for developing a more joined-up imaging strategy for Greater Manchester.

The ILT will build on the existing team at the Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre (WMIC), bringing together imaging scientists and leading biomedical researchers from across the Faculty. The proposed membership will be: the Director of Imaging; the imaging leads for Research Domains; the Director of Platform Science and Technologies; the Head of the Division of Informatics, Imaging and Data Sciences; the Associate Dean for Platform Sciences, Enabling Technologies and Infrastructure; and an appropriate MAHSC representative. Completing the team will be senior representation from the PSS Operations Team that provide such excellent support across our facilities.

Setting new priorities

The review has also identified a number of key objectives which the ILT will prioritise as it develops the imaging strategy for the Faculty.

First and foremost it will seek to introduce new imaging methodologies that will help us to realise our ambition of delivering world-leading outputs; and as part of this we will maximise the translational impact of our imaging research to deliver real, tangible benefits to both patients and society as a whole.

A second key objective will be to improve education and training within imaging, which in turn will require us to grow our academic capacity and expertise, particularly with respect to clinical academic radiologists. To support the delivery of this, ILT will work to support the re-launch of the imaging master’s degree

There will also be a new focus on improving our capability for imaging acutely ill patients for research purposes and translating the results into practice. To meet this objective, the ILT will negotiate access to scanners managed by the NHS Trusts so that imaging for clinical trials will be performed by NHS staff using research protocols under MAHSC governance. Good progress has already been made in this area, as agreement in principle has now been reached with The Christie NHS Foundation Trust for more collaborative access to scanners, starting with greater clinical use of the PET-CT scanner at WMIC.

In the area of preclinical imaging, the FLT in principle supports a number of the review’s recommendations, including the ongoing development of the full range of small-animal imaging facilities including PET, SPECT, CT, MRI, optical and ultrasound equipment. It has also been agreed that preclinical MR and PET imaging capability will be maintained at WMIC for the life of the existing equipment.

Last but not least, the ILT will work closely with the Head of Faculty Finance to develop a more robust, sophisticated and transparent costing model that will effectively recover both direct and indirect costs incurred as a result of imaging studies undertaken within the Faculty.

Next steps

We hope to be in a position to announce the appointment of the new Director of Imaging and the membership of the Imaging Leadership Team in the very near future (the Director role is in recruitment at present: https://www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/internal/displayjob.aspx?jobid=13371).

Once everyone is confirmed in post, the ILT can begin its work in earnest developing a clear strategic direction for imaging in the Faculty that both addresses the needs of our current situation and takes into account the key recommendations of the review.

In the meantime, we can look forward to exciting times ahead for imaging in Manchester – both within the Faculty and in collaboration with our partners in the NHS – beginning with the commissioning of the new PET MR scanner at Manchester Royal Infirmary, which will be officially opened by the University Chancellor, Lemn Sissay and President, Dame Nancy Rothwell on Thursday 8 June.