State-of-the-art training centre for surgeons launched

The Clinical Anatomy Skills Centre (CASC) has been purpose built with high tech surgical instruments that will be used to train surgeons and other health professionals in techniques such as traditional open surgery and laparoscopic (key hole) surgery. The Centre will use bodies (cadavers) bequeathed to the University of Glasgow's body donation programme. The University's Laboratory of Human Anatomy is internationally renowned for its leadership in the care and preparation of cadaveric donors and is recognised as offering the best in cadaveric simulation. The Centre, which is a joint initiative between two of the UK's leading medical training institutes - the University of Glasgow and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow - will also be used for teaching anatomy and supporting the development of medical devices, such as heart valves and prosthetics. Research and development at the Centre will help to provide valuable insight into major diseases, such as dementia and cancer. The Centre is one of only a handful in the UK that offers surgeons the chance to train with cadaveric material. Most surgical training is done using computer and video simulation or animal tissue.