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Report of the General Board on the establishment of a Professorship of Learning Disability Psychiatry

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

1. Within psychiatry the field of learning disabilities is recognized as a neglected but important area of academic study. The Department of Psychiatry has an established reputation in child and adolescent psychiatry and learning disability research within its section of Developmental Psychiatry, which was recognized by the 5* rating awarded by the Psychiatry sub-panel in the recent Research Assessment Exercise. The Faculty Board of Clinical Medicine have advised the General Board that the further development of collaborative research with other clinical disciplines and with social sciences and the law is now appropriate, together with a closer association with Cambridge health and social sciences organizations through the recently established Cambridge Learning Disability Partnership. Close relations with local and national charitable groups, and with European and international scientific organizations working in this and related fields would be established. It is expected that the demand for teaching medical, psychology, and basic science students in the University, and postgraduate students in psychiatry, psychology, and other academic disciplines will increase as the needs of this complex group of people and the relevant research issues are recognized.

2. In 2000 the announcement that the PPP Healthcare Medical Trust, now known as the PPP Foundation, were seeking applications from Universities for the creation of a Professorship in this important field provided an opportunity for the Faculty of Clinical Medicine to consider how it might strengthen work in this area. The Trust indicated that it would be willing to support the full cost of a Professorship at a UK University for a named individual, nominated by the institution, for fifteen years, together with funds for research, for administrative support, and for a research assistant. The intention of the scheme was to strengthen an existing group or establish a new centre of excellence, with priority given to applications which not only presented an outstanding candidate for the post, but also demonstrated that multidisciplinary working, linking professionals from a wide range of disciplines within and external to the University, would be fostered.

3. Advertisements seeking a candidate around whom to develop an application to the Trust were placed in the national press and the Reporter (2000-01, p. 359). The General Board appointed a Committee, constituted along the lines of a Board of Electors, to consider candidates and select a University nominee. The membership of the Committee was as follows: Dr A. J. Munro (in the Chair as the Vice-Chancellor's deputy), Professor E. T. Bullmore, Dame Fiona Caldicott, Professor I. M. Goodyer, Professor P. B. Jones, Professor Sir Keith Peters, Professor T. W. Robbins, Professor M. Ron, and Professor E. Taylor. In the light of their consideration of applications, the Committee agreed to approve the nomination of Dr A. J. Holland, University Lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry, to the Trust.

4. The PPP Foundation have recently informed the Faculty Board of Clinical Medicine that the University's application has been successful and that funding of up to £3m will be provided to meet the full cost of the proposed Professorship, if established by the University, together with support costs, for fifteen years. Additional academic support for the Professorship would be provided by the continuation of the NHS-funded Lectureship presently held by Dr Holland, an additional senior clinical psychology post funded by the NHS, and a five-year post at Consultant level funded by a trust fund. The Faculty Board of Clinical Medicine have agreed to meet the cost of the Professorship in the event of the premature termination of the fifteen-year period of funding. The Lifespan Healthcare Trust have confirmed the award of an honorary NHS consultant contract and access to clinical facilities. The Board have accordingly agreed to propose the establishment of a Professorship of Learning Disability Psychiatry for Dr Holland in the Department of Psychiatry from 1 June 2002.

5. The General Board recommend:

I. That a Professorship of Learning Disability Psychiatry be established in the University from 1 June 2002 for one tenure, placed in Schedule B of the Statutes and assigned to the Department of Psychiatry.

II. That Dr A. J. Holland, University Lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry, be appointed to the Professorship.

25 February 2002 ALEC N. BROERS, Vice-Chancellor ANDREW CLIFF A. C. MINSON
  A. J. BADGER MALCOLM GRANT KATE PRETTY
  P. J. BAYLEY J. C. GRAY M. SCHOFIELD
  N. BULLOCK PETER LIPTON S. J. YOUNG
  H. A. CHASE    

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Cambridge University Reporter, 27 February 2002
Copyright © 2001 The Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge.