Timeline 1951-1980
What follows, in timeline form, is a brief account of some major milestones of Welsh history and the development of medical education in Wales.
1953
First university-funded Chair of Anaesthesia in the UK created in the Medical School with William Mushin appointed to the Chair. A year later in 1954, Arthur ‘Pop’ Watkins becomes the first Professor of Child Health.
1959
Temporary accommodation for Medical School Administration, together with the library and staff refectory. (Vacated when staff are moved to the Heath site in 1971.) Publication of Prof. William Mushin’s "Automatic ventilation of the lungs" an exhaustive treatment of all extant lung ventilators - widely accepted as a classic work on the subject.
1960
Electron microscopy is used to quickly distinguish between chickenpox and smallpox viruses during the South Wales smallpox epidemic that originated in Pontypool.
Archibald ‘Archie’ Cochrane is appointed David Davies Professor of Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases with responsibility for the Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases Course. He negotiates a place in the university curriculum for epidemiology and medical statistics. "I wanted all the students . . . to appreciate the value of good data collection and analysis . . ."
(Picture: Crown copyright. From Archie Cochrane's autobiography "One Man's Medicine". Reproduced with permission of the Controller of HMSO and Queen's Printer for Scotland.)
1961
On 1st August, Professor Brian E.D. Cooke (pictured above) made Dean-Elect of the Dental School, University College, 36 Newport Road, Cardiff.
1962
Professor Brian E.D. Cooke assumed the office of Dean of the Dental School, University College, Cardiff, a post he held until 1982.
Building commences on the site chosen at the Heath Park, Cardiff for the University Hospital of Wales, Ysbyty Athrofaol Cymru, with plans for a Dental School and Medical School as part of the complex.
1963
Building work starts on the new Dental School and Hospital at the Heath Park site, Cardiff.
1964
In October, 23 dental students were admitted for the first time to pre-clinical courses at University College, Cardiff. Five Senior Lecturers were also appointed, together with supporting clerical staff.
1965
In October, the first dental students commenced their clinical studies at the Dental School and Hospital, Cardiff.
1966
As part of a national plan to expand Dental Education, originally proposed in the Teviot Report in 1945, the Dental School and Hospital is officially opened by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
1967
The first phase of the Tenovus Institute for Cancer Research opened by HRH The Princess Margaret on the Heath Park site.
1968
Professor Archie Cochrane writes, "Effectiveness and Efficiency: Random Reflections on the Health Service" — the concept of evidence-based medicine is born.
The first degrees and prizes in Dental Surgery were awarded by the University of Wales.
1969
The School for Dental Hygienists was opened at the Dental School and Hospital, Cardiff, under the control of Surgeon Captain Derek Goodridge, Honorary Dental Surgeon to the Queen.
1970
Intake of dental students at the Dental School and Hospital, Cardiff, raised from 23 to 50 students per year.
1971
Formal opening of the £20m Medical Teaching Centre incorporating the 800-bedded University Hospital of Wales and the WNSM by HRH The Queen. Gwilym Prys Davies, Chairman of the Welsh Hospitals Board, speaking at the opening says, "It is not only a fine modern building with the best possible equipment and facilities: it is the first of a new integrated teaching hospital/ medical school designed for patient care, medical education and research".
Extending the remit of broadening the academic activities of the WNSM a Director of Nursing Studies is appointed after generous benefaction by the Jane Hodge Foundation. Course of studies leading to Bachelor of Nursing of the University of Wales commences.
1973
In May, WNSM is designated by the World Health Organisation as an international reference centre for the classification of endocrine tumours.
1975
University Grants Committee (UGC) enables WNSM to increase its intake of medical students to 150 a year. A team, led by Dr (later Professor) Mike Rosen from the Anaesthetics Dept, developed the first Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) equipment. A prototype, called the Cardiff Palliator (left) is designed and built by Justin McCarthy and Roger Jones from the Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering Unit, University Hospital of Wales.
1976
Tenovus Institute scientists embark on studies into the effects of Tamoxifen on plasma hormone levels in patients with advanced breast cancer.
1977
The new Director of the School for Dental Hygienists, Tom Carpenter DFC, appointed at the Dental School and Hospital, Cardiff.
1979
The UGC’s Medical Sub-Committee endorses WNSM’s ‘all-Wales’ role in clinical medical education.
