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Report of the General Board on the establishment of a Professorship of Public Health Medicine

The GENERAL BOARD beg leave to report to the University as follows:

1. The Department of Community Medicine covers a wide range of research activities, from fundamental aetiological research of global importance to applied research of immediate local concern. The Department has established a strong research base and benefits from close interaction with other University Departments, particularly the Departments of Psychiatry, Medical Genetics, and Oncology. The Department also interacts closely with the clinical departments in Addenbrooke's Hospital and Papworth Hospital and in the Lifespan NHS Trust, while recent senior appointments with interests in Public Health in other University Departments are expected to provide excellent opportunities to develop collaborative research.

2. In addition to providing undergraduate teaching, the Department of Community Medicine also runs three courses at postgraduate level, and all members of staff of the Department contribute to postgraduate training and continuing education and the supervision of doctoral students. The Faculty Board of Clinical Medicine are of the view that a further senior appointment at professorial level would not only help to enhance the quality of undergraduate teaching and postgraduate training in the area of clinically-related public health medicine, but would also strengthen the programme of collaborative research in the area of applied research and health policy analysis.

3. The Faculty Board of Clinical Medicine have accordingly represented to the General Board that it would now be appropriate for a Professorship of Public Health Medicine to be established in the Faculty of Clinical Medicine for a single tenure, to complement the work of the present Professor of Public Health. The holder of the new Professorship would provide leadership in teaching, research, and clinical work. The Cambridgeshire Health Authority have agreed to award an Honorary NHS Consultant contract to the holder of the Professorship.

4. The General Board have accepted the case made by the Faculty Board. Funds have been made available to meet the full cost of the Professorship from the NHS Regional Academic Posts Budget. Should the NHS financial support cease prematurely, the cost of the office would be met by the Faculty Board from within their existing resources, ahead of any new developments or the filling of vacant offices. The General Board are assured that suitable accommodation for the Professor is available, and the necessary support and facilities can also be provided. 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 Professorship of Public Health Medicine should be established in the University from 1 January 2000, for one tenure, and assigned to the Department of Community Medicine. They have agreed to concur in the view of the Faculty Board of Clinical Medicine that the election to the Professorship should be made by an ad hoc Board of Electors, and that candidature should be open without limitation or preference to all persons whose work falls within the general field of the title of the office.

6. The General Board recommend:

That a Professorship of Public Health Medicine be established for one tenure from 1 January 2000, placed in Schedule B of the Statutes, and assigned to the Department of Community Medicine.

6 October 1999

ALEC N. BROERS, Vice-Chancellor MALCOLM GRANT N. J. MACKINTOSH
P. J. BAYLEY BRIAN F. G. JOHNSON ADRIAN POOLE
A. L. R. FINDLAY JOHN A. LEAKE K. B. PRETTY
KEITH GLOVER PETER LIPTON M. SCHOFIELD

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Cambridge University Reporter, 27 October 1999
Copyright © 1999 The Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge.