Overview
The Essex Biomedical Sciences Institute (EBSI) was established to promote clinically-relevant, biomedical/health-related translational research involving collaborations between academic staff in the University, principally in the School of Biological Sciences, and clinicians in Hospital NHS Trusts in the region. The Institute was initially set up as a partnership with Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust, but now incorporates Southend Hospital NHS Trust, Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust and Mid Essex Hospital NHS Trust.
Aims of the EBSI:
-
Provide a network organisation for promoting and facilitating clinically relevant, translational research activities in the biomedical sciences.
-
Provide the essential infrastructure support and facilities together with scientific and clinical expertise for conducting cutting-edge research covering a broad range of clinical specialities.
-
Exploit opportunities for securing research funding.
-
Provide an academic partnership for local Hospital NHS Trusts
-
Attract and retain clinicians of the highest calibre by providing research opportunities and potential for career development and continuing professional development.
-
Create an environment in which biomedical research involving collaborations between scientists and clinicians can flourish, thereby strengthening the links between the University of Essex and Hospital NHS Trusts in the region. This represents an important part of a wider strategy enabling development of medical education at Essex.
The EBSI operates by bringing together scientists and clinicians with common research interests using its web-pages of individuals and their interests, convening discussion meetings, informal seminar groups and advising on operational and administrative issues associated with research. Through its Executive Committee, the EBSI liaises with Hospital Trust and University management bodies. The guiding principle of the EBSI is to provide clinicians with opportunities, scientific input and laboratory facilities to engage in research and to provide academics with opportunities to interface basic science studies with applications in translational clinical research. Hospital Schools with a strong research ethos are more likely to be at the forefront of advances in disease diagnosis and treatment and are better placed to attract and retain high quality medical staff at all levels. This ultimately translates into a higher quality of healthcare delivery in addition to enhancing the professional standing of medical staff and the profile of the hospital NHS Trust more generally.