Couple donate £1m towards digital medical hub

A £1m donation from a Jersey couple has helped launch a university campaign to build the Institute for Medical Innovation (IMI).

The donation from James and Mindy Vernon would fund the Digital Collaboration Hub in the institute, which would house computers, bioinformatics software and specialists centralising medical data, backers said.

The IMI, at Southampton General Hospital, would focus on five major disease areas - cancer, dementia, sight loss, infection, and respiratory and allergic conditions, they added.

IMI director Prof Paul Elkington said: "We are delighted and extremely grateful to receive this incredibly generous donation."

He added: "The IMI will get life-changing treatments to patients faster.

"We know families are waiting and, while technology is advancing at pace, medical science must keep up.

"Southampton is perfectly placed to make this happen. Working side by side and using the latest technologies, we will accelerate discovery from lab to patients.

"The result will be smarter drugs, innovative devices, and kinder treatments for cancer, dementia, and other devastating diseases - reaching patients in years, not decades.

"This gift is a clear vote of confidence in our vision for the IMI."

The £100m project is backed by a £50m commitment from the university, with the remaining £50m to be raised through its largest ever fundraising campaign.

James Vernon said: "The University of Southampton is at the heart of research that touches the lives of so many people.

"It also holds a special place for Jersey too, as countless islanders depend on Southampton's specialist medical services.

"This new centre represents a remarkable chance to go further than ever before, deepen these vital connections and create better outcomes for patients."

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