Report of the General Board on the establishment of a Professorship of Nuclear Medicine

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

1. Medical imaging plays a fundamental role in medical diagnosis, forming an essential link with the work of the National Health Service and with much clinical research. In recent years major developments in medical imaging, such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have provided new opportunities for research. Meanwhile in Nuclear Medicine, which involves the use of radio-labelled compounds to identify and treat disease, rapid advances have been made, particularly in the field of positron emission tomography (PET) and hybrid imaging (e.g. PET/CT). These are leading to new approaches in preventive and therapeutic treatments. There is every possibility that, as a result of such developments, Nuclear Medicine will become the pre-eminent technique for tumour diagnosis and treatment.

2. The Faculty Board of Clinical Medicine attach a high priority to teaching and research in medical imaging; a Professorship of Radiology was established in the Faculty of Clinical Medicine in 1977, and there is now a strong team of University and NHS staff, with excellent radiological equipment at their disposal. The Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUNHSFT) has recently decided to invest heavily in upgrading its Nuclear Medicine Department. This includes the new PET/CT Unit funded by National Institute of Health Research and industrial grants. There are close links with the Clinical School Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre where there is a cyclotron and a PET Unit, with excellent opportunities in novel ligand research. The Faculty Board of Clinical Medicine has established an Imaging Strategy Committee to co-ordinate research, equipment, and staffing on the Addenbrooke's Site.

3. In addition to the Department of Radiology, many other members of the University staff, in the Clinical School and in cognate Departments, require access to sophisticated radionuclide imaging. Similarly, CUNHSFT has a need for a strong Department of Nuclear Medicine, both for its service work and to support numerous research projects. Following a review of the present provision for supporting nuclear medicine, the CUNHSFT and the Faculty Board of Clinical Medicine have agreed to support the creation of a joint facility, which would be in a position both to undertake research of international standing in the Clinical School and to meet the service requirements of the Trust.

4. The Faculty Board have concluded that the re-establishment of the Professorship of Nuclear Medicine, established for a single tenure by Grace 3 of 25 February 1998 and which lapsed on the resignation of Professor A. M. Peters on 1 December 2004, would offer a firm basis for the development of this joint facility. The Board believe that the establishment of the Professorship would strengthen existing programmes of teaching and research, as well as increasing the level of research grants and other external funding, and would complement other strategic developments in the Clinical School. Funds have been made available by CUNHSFT to meet the full cost of the office at Consultant level for a single tenure. In the event of any shortfall in this NHS funding, the Faculty Board have undertaken to meet the cost of the office from within their existing resources. CUNHSFT has agreed to award an Honorary Consultant contract to the Professor and to provide access to the appropriate clinical facilities.

5. The General Board have accepted the case made by the Faculty Board; they have agreed to propose the establishment of the Professorship for a single tenure from 1 October 2008. The Board are assured that the proposed Professorship will attract a strong field of well-qualified candidates; they have agreed to concur in the view of the Faculty Board that an 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 Professorship. The Faculty Board will provide support and facilities for the work of the Professor from within existing resources.

6. The General Board recommend:

That a Professorship of Nuclear Medicine be established in the University, for one tenure from 1 October 2008, placed in Schedule B of the Statutes, and assigned to the Department of Radiology.