THE UNIVERSITY of Bradford has appointed two members of staff to oversee its new £7 million Health and Wellbeing Centre.

Dr Allan Kellehear, currently a Professor in End of Life Care at the institution, will act as director of the facility, with Dr Samar Betmouni, a director of Clinical Pathology, acting as deputy director.

The Health and Wellbeing Centre, part of the Digital Health Enterprise Zone, will integrate research, teaching and innovation activities focused on delaying and preventing the onset of conditions such as dementia, diabetes, and cancer, and on improving the experience of patients.

It will be used both as a community amenity, housing practising health professionalssuch as doctors, optometrists and dispensing pharmacists, and for tenant organisations to test out healthcare delivery innovations.

Teams of researchers and students will work with patients, healthcare professionals and companies to trial and monitor new devices, services, and ways of working to see which are the most effective and affordable.

Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Brian Cantor, said: “The Digital Health Enterprise Zone Health and Wellbeing Centre is an exemplar of our ambition to be a great technology University, leading research and learning in the field of advanced healthcare.

“Allan and Samar will bring great experience, scholarship and energy to the development of the centre, working with colleagues across all faculties.”