Official opening of Europe's largest diabetes centre

Abstract

The OCDEM building, of which the architect was the late Gordon Kirkley, is revolutionary in concept in that it places patients literally at the centre of the design. The sense of space, lightness and airiness in all parts of the building are another novel and attractive feature. OCDEM is situated on the Churchill Hospital campus in Headington, Oxford, and houses over 150 staff, formerly dispersed over several different sites in Oxford. They include scientists, clinicians, nurses, podiatrists, dietitians and secretarial and administrative personnel. There are facilities for 24 inpatients as well as the usual outpatient population for the catchment area. David Matthews, the Chairman of OCDEM, described in a brief speech at the opening ceremony the genesis of the idea in a conversation between himself and Stig Pramming, a senior executive of Novo Nordisk, five years ago. The project reflected Oxford's position in having the largest diabetes research programme in Europe – a tribute to the late and great Robert Turner. The present building, providing over 5000 square metres of space, represents Phase 1 of the development. Phase 2 will provide a further 1000 square metres of space and there are already plans to develop an islet transplant programme in the lower level of the building which is not at present used. A substantial amount of the funding for the Centre has been provided by Novo Nordisk. Lars Sorensen, the Chief Executive Officer of the company, said there were no secret clauses or special favours for Novo Nordisk in the partnership agreement. The company's support reflected its commitment not only to ameliorating diabetes but seeking a way of preventing and curing the condition. Novo Nordisk considered it to be a sensible strategy for the future to get involved in developing whole health care systems in addition to manufacturing drugs. What better way to do this than to build partnerships with world-renowned institutions such as Oxford University and the NHS? The Danes were back in Britain, said Mr Sorensen, and this time for good! Professor Matthews also paid tribute to Takeda, Servier, Merck and Sainsburys which had all supported diabetes research at Oxford in different ways and were now additional partners in the OCDEM adventure. Finally, Professor Matthews thanked all his colleagues who had made the OCDEM idea come alive and in particular Stig Pramming whose drive and stalwart support had been crucial throughout. He said people fell into two groups, those who wanted to put up fences and those who wanted to build paths. The OCDEM people wanted to build paths – and it was interesting that the word ‘stig’ meant ‘path’ in Danish. Report by James Wroe, Consultant Publisher; Practical Diabetes International