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Report of the General Board on the establishment of a second Professorship of Paediatrics

1. Paediatrics is an area of medicine which transcends a wide range of specialties, involving an age span from the newly born, through childhood, into adolescence. Since the appointment of the present Head of the Department of Paediatrics in 1989, a major research theme of the Department has been the study of genetic disorders in childhood, with an emphasis on developmental anomalies and endocrinopathies.

2. The Faculty Board of Clinical Medicine consider that it is now opportune to expand the research of the Department into one of the following areas: cancer, neurosciences, diabetes and obesity. There are already well- established clinical services for children in each of these fields, and extensive research activities both within the Clinical School and in cognate institutions which will provide opportunities for collaborative work. These include studies in cancer genetics in the Department of Oncology, developments in neuroscience at the MRC Centre for Brain Repair, and studies in diabetes and obesity and in metabolism at the School's new building on the Island Site. Paediatrics is a core element in the General Medical Council's teaching requirements, and the Department has developed an innovative undergraduate teaching programme.

3. In accordance with the Clinical School's strategic development plan the Faculty Board of Clinical Medicine have supported the expansion of the Department in recent years by recommending the establishment of three University offices. The Faculty Board now consider that a further senior appointment is required in the Department, and have proposed that a second Professorship of Paediatrics should be established, replacing a University Lectureship in the Department which became vacant on the resignation of Dr C. J. Morley on 8 May 1998. The Professor will be expected to build up a substantial research programme in one of the areas identified, and to provide leadership for the development of the teaching programme.

4. The General Board have accepted the case made by the Faculty Board, and have agreed that the University Lectureship which became vacant on Dr Morley's resignation should be suppressed; they have also agreed that the resulting saving should be used to meet the cost of the Professorship. The Board are assured that suitable accommodation for the Professor is available and that the necessary support and facilities can be provided. Addenbrooke's NHS Trust have agreed to award an honorary NHS contract at Consultant level to the Professor and to provide access to beds and clinical facilities. The Board are satisfied that an appointment at this level will be likely to attract a strong field of well-qualified candidates.

5. The General Board accordingly propose that a second Professorship of Paediatrics should be established in the University for a single tenure from 1 October 1998, and assigned to the Department of Paediatrics. They have agreed to concur in the view of the Faculty Board of Clinical Medicine that an election to the Professorship should be made by an ad hoc Board of Electors, and that candidature should be limited to those persons whose work falls within the field of paediatric cancer, neurosciences, or diabetes and obesity.

6. The General Board recommend:

20 May 1998

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