Proton Partners International has joined The College of Radiographers’ Industry Partnership Scheme (CoRIPS) to provide funding for future research and educational projects.
Research in cancer care is key for Proton Partners International and yesterday Richard Evans, chief executive officer of the Society and College (SCoR), visited the company’s first cancer centre in Newport, South Wales, to present them with their CoRIPS partnership plaque.
By partnering with CoRIPS, Proton Partners International will be able to collaborate with SCoR and support research being carried out by radiographers.
The partnership will also provide the company with access to the knowledge, experience and expertise within the SCoR and throughout the membership of 25,000 radiographers and students, as well as association collaborations with UK government, regulatory bodies, healthcare employers, imaging and therapy managers and educators, other professional groups and international partners.
Proton Partners International is building a series of oncology centres known as The Rutherford Cancer Centres, which will offer proton beam therapy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, imaging and wellbeing services. The company’s first centre in Newport, South Wales, has opened for traditional services and will be the first in the UK to offer proton beam therapy from early 2018. Other centres are being built in Northumberland, Reading and Liverpool.
Richard Evans, chief executive officer of SCoR, said: “It’s brilliant news that Proton Partners International have joined CoRIPS as Diamond Partners.
“As with all of our other partners, their dedication to supporting radiography research will make a huge difference to radiographers all over the UK and to improving patient care.
“The development of facilities in the Newport Centre is really impressive, with excellent consideration being given to the patient experience, staff development and training.”
Lis Neil, chief operating officer of Proton Partners International, added: “We are delighted to be making this commitment and becoming part of The College of Radiographers Industry Partnership Scheme.
“From the outset we have said that in addition to providing top cancer treatments, including bringing proton beam therapy to the UK, research and development is also central to the work we are doing.
“The future of cancer care relies on research. Being part of this scheme opens the door to so many leading research projects being carried out in radiotherapy and imaging, and it is a privilege to play a role in that.”
Proton Partners International has also signed a 10-year lease to establish a genomics research centre at the Life Sciences Accelerator building in Liverpool which is due to open later this year and has also agreed to a two-year collaborative research project with The University of Liverpool to develop a new measurement system, known as a 3D Water Phantom, to enhance proton beam therapy technology.
