Medical schools are important centres of research

The NHS partners of each new school will receive an extra one off payment of �1.5m.

Health Minister Lord Warner said the cash would help set up state-of-the-art research facilities, and attract top scientists.

This would then enable more research in crucial areas such as genetics, diabetes and cancer, he said.

Lord Warner said the government was committed to strengthening research and innovation, and making sure that the NHS gets the benefit of the latest scientific developments.

He said: "Investment in research saves lives and that is why it is vital that we make sure the NHS is a research rich environment so that patients reap the benefits.

"This extra funding will mean that the NHS' future doctors can play their part in developing new treatments for tomorrow's patients."

The eight new medical schools which will receive the funding are:

• East Anglia
• Brighton and Sussex
• Durham and Newcastle
• Hull/York
• Keele and Manchester
• Leicester and Warwick
• Peninsula (Exeter and Plymouth)
• Leeds and Bradford

Professor John Tooke, Dean of the Peninsula Medical School said: "I am delighted that the government has recognised the important contribution medical schools make in generating new knowledge.

"As well as enabling the new schools to play their part in developing cutting edge treatments, the funding will help encourage evidence based practice and ensure our medical students benefit from a questioning culture."

The government allocated a one-off payment of �2m for research and development at each of the new medical schools in 2001. It also provides annual funding of approximately �146,000.