His Majesty The King visits Imperial's Centre for Injury Studies to see cutting-edge trauma injury research.
His Majesty The King visited Imperial's Centre for Injury Studies to highlight the UK's support to injured service personnel in Ukraine and hear about the vital link between research and humanitarian efforts.
The King was joined on the visit by Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi.
The Centre for Injury Studies is Imperial's convergence science vehicle for teams of engineers, scientists and clinicians to work together to develop new ways of protecting against, diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating patients following traumatic injuries.
"Collaboration is part of Imperial's DNA; the partnership between the Centre for Injury Studies and colleagues in the NHS, defence and humanitarian organisations is an exemplar of how we are making a difference through our research." Professor Anthony Bull Director of Imperial's Centre for Injury Studies
The Centre brings together different disciplines focused on understanding traumatic injuries and studies injuries sustained in conflict zones, sport and everyday life, working to protect and rehabilitate people of all ages from injuries of all types.
Marking the third anniversary of the Ukraine war, The King visited the Centre to see how Imperial applies lessons learned from previous conflicts, including in Afghanistan and Iraq, to support the wounded in Ukraine. His Majesty heard how the UK can learn from Ukraine's experience in combat medicine, rehabilitation and conflict-related injuries.
In the laboratory space based at the Sir Michael Uren Hub at Imperial's White City Campus, Professor Anthony Bull, Centre Director, Dr Spyros Masouros, Associate Director, and Professor Shehan Hettiaratchy, Professor of Practice in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Imperial and Director of Major Trauma at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, explained the Centre's work.
Credit: Thomas Angus / Imperial College London
Credit: Thomas Angus / Imperial College London
Credit: Thomas Angus / Imperial College London
Credit: Thomas Angus / Imperial College London
Credit: Thomas Angus / Imperial College London
Credit: Thomas Angus / Imperial College London
Credit: Thomas Angus / Imperial College London
Credit: Thomas Angus / Imperial College London
His Majesty saw a demonstration of a machine simulating the creation of combat injuries to see how adequate protection can limit injuries. The King heard about current research on prosthetics and saw a device used for testing the durability of leg prosthetics.
His Majesty then viewed a demonstration using virtual reality biofeedback technology, to enhance rehabilitation following limb loss.
"His Majesty's visit to the Centre for Injury Studies at our White City Campus underscores the critical work underway at Imperial to tackle one of today's most urgent medical challenges." Professor Hugh Brady President of Imperial College London
Professor Anthony Bull said: "Collaboration is part of Imperial's DNA; the partnership between the Centre for Injury Studies and colleagues in the NHS, defence and humanitarian organisations is an exemplar of how we are making a difference through our research. We are grateful and honoured to have been able to welcome His Majesty to meet with our researchers and partners."
Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London, said: "His Majesty's visit to the Centre for Injury Studies at our White City Campus underscores the critical work underway at Imperial to tackle one of today's most urgent medical challenges. Our pioneering research into traumatic injuries, advanced prosthetics and trauma care is transforming outcomes for military personnel and civilians in conflict zones. This is a powerful example of how science and collaboration can change lives, and we are proud to be leading such transformative work."
During the visit, The King had the opportunity to meet Ukrainian students at Imperial, as well as representatives of the NHS, humanitarian organisations including UK-Med, a humanitarian medical NGO providing aid in conflict and disasters, and UK government departments involved in an international medical partnership, including staff from the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Health and Social Care.
His Majesty also heard how Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust has signed a memorandum of understanding with First Medical Union and Unbroken, Ukrainian healthcare providers in Lviv that Imperial has been working with for the last 3 years. This will formalise a collaboration which has been focused on surgical training but will now expand into a wider partnership, including research.
