NHS launches quest to eliminate scars 'within a generation'

The NHS has launched a project to find medical cures for all types of scar as it opens the world’s first scarring research centre in response to wounded veterans and rising crime.

Experts say they aim to eliminate all scarring “within a generation” and transform the emergency care given to victims of trauma ranging from acid attacks and stabbing to terrorism and war.

Using money from fines levied against banks for financial misconduct, the new Centre for Conflict Wound Research at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital will investigate the fundamental molecular process that leads to scarring

However, it is already preparing to bring forward a new “battle-ready” transportable dressing which will hasten the healing of wounds, thereby reducing permanent scars.

A handful of patients will benefit from the devices next year, part of a process which will see them issued to all paramedics.

Officials say the centre has the potential to improve the lives of the estimated 4.5 million people in Britain currently living with a physical scar.

These include more than 6,000 current or former Armed Forces members who have suffered serious injury.

Brendan Eley, Chief Executive of the Scar Free Foundation, which supports the centre, said: “The physical and emotional effects of scarring are serious and often life changing.

“Our aim is to deliver scar free healing within a generation by establishing a pioneering programme of medical research in the UK.”

Many of the more than 480 patients set to take part in the research over the next three years are veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.

However, Professor Naiem Moimen, director of the new centre, said the insights gathered from the spate of terror attacks last year, in particular the suicide bombing in Manchester, would also feed into the research.

He added: “The number of acid attacks and stabbing victims is increasing in our major cities and this is also driving our work.”

Conducted in collaboration with The Scar Free Foundation, the research will cost around £4.8 million over the first three years.

£3 million of this has been allocated by The Treasury from fines on banks for illegally fixing the LIBOR interbank lending rate.