TWO local charities have joined forces to raise £650,000 to create a new home for heart research on Teesside.

Hearts and Minds is a joint appeal by Our Hospitals Charity and South Cleveland Heart Fund which launches on the 23 March to bring first class cardiovascular research facilities to Teesside.

The charities are working together to help create an Academic Cardiovascular Unit at The James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

Dr David Austin, consultant cardiologist at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: James Cook Hospital has been at the heart of cardiovascular care in Teesside for more than 25 years. Now we want to take this expertise and use it to inspire new research and breakthroughs in cardiac treatment and care.

The money raised will enable existing space to be transformed into a leading edge facility and will include the creation of a dedicated clinical setting for patients in research trials as well as a reception, patient waiting area, new office space and a meeting room.

Included in the plans is a cardiothoracic research facility which would be a focal point for the new unit and could help countless people around the world.

It will focus on research which prevents heart attacks, develops exercise programmes in patients with heart problems and makes better use of data and digital technology in research.

It will enable the trust to become an internationally recognised centre of excellence in cardiovascular research as well as leading the way across the north east region.

Mr Enoch Akowuah, consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, has just been appointed a professor at Newcastle University, who, along with York University, are supporting the unit.

He said: One of the things we learned from COVID is that research has an immediate impact on patient care. Hospitals that do research also have the best outcomes.

The Academic Cardiovascular Unit will provide opportunity for us to design and develop really impactful research trials, which will make a massive difference to patient care.

Fewer patients get recruited into cardiovascular trials in the north east than anywhere in country. And part of the reason for this is that we dont have the infrastructure to support that research; and thats what establishing this unit is about.