21.09.04
Phase Two of the Knowledge Spa is Encouraged by Minister

While meeting several of the partners that were behind its development, Paul Boateng, Chief Secretary to the HM Treasury, was full of praise for the achievement of the Knowledge Spa, at the Royal Cornwall Hospital today. He acknowledged the need for the development in terms of training health and medical staff as a team and in looking to establish a much needed research culture in the area. As he pointed out: "You need a strong research infrastructure in an area, not only to attract bright local and international stars to come and work for you but also to play a vital role in long-term business development."

The next phase of the Knowledge Spa will be to build a science or medi-park, near to the hospital, where the health industry can grow alongside the help that they will need to develop their products and services. As Candy Atherton MP said, "We are unique in many ways and the fact that our population stays fairly constant and keeps within the boundaries of Cornwall for most of its services makes us an ideal area for long term studies into all kinds of conditions. Now that the knowledge base is developing here, and in Penryn at the CUC, we will be able to take fullest advantage of that part of our uniqueness."

All of the visits that Mr Boateng made were to developments that have received Objective One investment and he was keen to encourage the building of the strategy for the next phase of the Knowledge Spa to take advantage of Objective One.

Carleen Kelemen, the Director of the Objective One Partnership reinforced this view adding: "It is absolutely the right time to move into the next phase. This project fits well with the Programme's vision for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, providing higher education support for an industry that is set to grow internationally and which will provide secure well paid jobs."

Brian Milstead, the Chief Executive of the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust said, after the visit: "This is just the kind of encouragement that we need to press on and use what we've done to date as a catalyst to make a major difference to Cornwall's well-being and its economy with the next phase."

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Editor's notes:

For further information please contact:

Press & Public Relations Office
Royal Cornwall Hospital
Truro, TR1 3LJ
Tel: 01872 252934 during office hours
or 01872 250000 for urgent enquiries at other times
www.cornwall.nhs.uk/rcht

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Sue Wolstenholme
Objective One Communications
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01579 370991
lmroberts@cornwall.gov.uk

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