State-of-the-art research hub set to transform global healthcare opens in Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh has opened a new £49m-worth innovation hub in a bid to tackle the most pressing healthcare challenges.

Located at Edinburgh’s BioQuarter, the Usher Building will carry out pioneering research to address urgent issues, including an ageing population, widening health inequalities and childhood wellbeing.

Funded by £49.2m awarded via the Edinburgh & South East Scotland City Region Deal, the building will house more than 900 researchers, health and care providers and industry leaders.

Advanced imaging, artificial intelligence, and data analysis will all be leveraged to deliver innovations set to “renew” the NHS, drugs minister Maree Todd said.

The launch event was attended by high profile public sector and political figures including director of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Scottish secretary Ian Murray.

“For hundreds of years, the University of Edinburgh has been a revered centre of learning and research,” Ghebreyesus said. “With the Usher Building’s opening, the university is future-proofing that proud heritage by embracing the latest medical innovations, artificial intelligence and data analysis to contribute to making a healthier world.”

Researchers will use AI to enhance surgical outcomes and scientists will explore diagnosis through routine retina imaging.

The Usher building / Image credit: The Universtity of Edinburgh

The university will also work with NHS Lothian in a major data project, called DataLoch. Those involved will collate anonymous data from patients’ daily use of health and social care services to tackle health inequalities and improve the sector.

Todd said: “The opening of the University of Edinburgh’s new Usher Building marks a significant step forward in health innovation. The innovations by the Usher Institute will help renew the NHS in Scotland, and, as a WHO Collaborating Centre, transform healthcare around the globe. This development will drive growth across the region, which is why the Scottish Government is proud to support it through our Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal investment.”

The building was recently highly commended in the European Healthcare Design Awards and is the university’s first new facility to rely solely on efficient air source heat pump heating.

Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, principal of the university, said: “The opening of the Usher Building is a major step forward for the University of Edinburgh – and wider society – in reimagining how we improve health and social care. By bringing together researchers, clinicians and industry experts, we have created a dynamic hub that will drive innovation for the benefit of all. It is inspiring to shine a light on the outstanding work underway here and, together with the United Nations and many other key partners, we remain committed to advancing these critical efforts to improve lives.”

During the opening ceremony Ghebreyesus was awarded the inaugural Edinburgh Prize for Global Health Impact in recognition of the WHO’s work in providing children with access to life-saving vaccinations. 

He said: “I am honoured to receive this award, which is a recognition of the life-saving power of vaccination, and of the commitment shown by WHO colleagues and health partners around the world to offer children the hope that immunisation provides for healthier and productive futures."

The Usher Institute is one of six hubs at The University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University that together make up the Data-Driven Innovation initiative, part of the City Region Deal.