Professor Janet Beer and Professor Jane Dacre mark the opening of RCP North.
The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has officially opened its new interim RCP North headquarters in Liverpool – Phase 1 in its development of a major centre of clinical excellence in the city.
Marking the start of a long-term plan to provide services outside of the capital, two floors within the University of Liverpool’s William Henry Duncan Building have been converted into suitable spaces for clinical examinations, workshops and office space, with RCP’s Regional Office for Mersey and North Western the first department to move in.
Due to open in summer 2020, Phase 2 will see a new £35 million, 70,000 sq ft headquarters development located in Knowledge Quarter Liverpool’s Paddington Village.
The opening event brought together stakeholders from across the city to celebrate RCP’s new northern presence and learn more about their ambition to provide quality improvement, research, medical training, examinations and conference facilities. Guests also had the opportunity to explore the new facilities and preview the state of the art technology and architecture in store for RCP North’s permanent new building in Phase 2.
Professor Janet Beer, Vice Chancellor of the University of Liverpool, who spoke at the event said: “I am delighted that we are welcoming the Royal College of Physicians to Liverpool. The healthcare knowledge economy in the city region is already world-leading and this illustrious addition will certainly further advance this position. I look forward to us working closely together to improve healthcare and wellbeing and to tackle infection and disease.”
Professor Jane Dacre, president of the RCP, said: “We are excited by the tremendous reception we have received – none of it is possible without the strong and generous partnerships we have forged with Liverpool City Council, University of Liverpool, KQ Liverpool and Liverpool Health Partners. We turn a landmark 500 years old in 2018, and RCP North and the city of Liverpool offers an impressive, vibrant home to enhance our passion to improve patient care quality beyond the UK and far into the future.”
Sir Ian Gilmore, Board Chairman of Liverpool Health Partners and former president of the RCP, added: “As a past-president of the Royal College of Physicians of London, I am delighted that the College has made this exciting step to make clear its commitment to the North of the country in its vital role in standard setting, education and patient care. The whole of the city of Liverpool is united to work in partnership with the RCP to make this a reality and to be an integral part of its celebration of 500 years of excellence.”
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson, said: “The arrival of the RCP in Liverpool marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for KQ Liverpool and the city’s future economic development. The facilities and jobs RCP North will bring to the city will be of huge benefit and their new home in Paddington Village will be a real landmark moment.
“I warmly welcome the RCP’s investment and confidence in Liverpool as it is a signal of the huge potential of KQ Liverpool and we look forward to more businesses and organisations joining them over the coming years as its reputation for world class excellence develops around the world.”