Timeline 1981-1996
What follows, in timeline form, is a brief account of some major milestones of Welsh history and the development of medical education in Wales.
1981
Electron microscope studies, in conjunction with the London School of Tropical Medicine, lead to the discovery of ‘podoconiosis’, a strain of elephantiasis commonly affecting people in mountainous areas of Ethiopia, The Cameroons and Andes.
1984
WNSM obtains a new Royal Charter and is renamed the University of Wales College of Medicine (UWCM).
1985
Launch of ‘Heartbeat Wales’, a campaign to combat the high incidence of coronary heart disease by the Institute of Health Promotion. The project is led by Professor John Catford, Health Education Council Professor of Health Education & Promotion and Director of the Welsh Heart Programme.
1986
UWCM’s first Honorary Fellowship is conferred on Dr Harold Scarborough, Professor of Medicine in the WNSM 1950-1969.
1987
Tenovus Institute scientists, as part of the British Prostate Group, begin to undertake extensive studies on the effect of Zoladex as a treatment for prostate cancer.
Institute of Medical Genetics at the Heath Park site, Cardiff is opened by HRH The Prince of Wales.
1988
The College acts as host to the Court of the University of Wales for the first time. At this meeting final approval is given for the elevation of the College to full College status within the University of Wales. UWCM also acts for the first time in its history as host to the Honorary Degree Ceremony of the University of Wales. The degrees are confirmed by HRH The Prince of Wales, in his capacity as Chancellor of the University.
1989
The Masters in Public Health (MPH) course is launched, involving several College departments, the South Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education and associated bodies. This development forms the basis of a new School of Public Health.
Ann K. Allen, first Co-ordinator of the MPH Course
1990
The UWCM academic sub-department of Psychological Medicine is opened at the North Wales Hospital, Denbigh.
1991
Major breakthrough with the isolation and characterisation of the myotonic dystrophy gene by Dr Duncan Shaw and colleagues at the Institute of Medical Genetics, Cardiff.
1993
The proposal to establish the Welsh Combined Centres for Public Health is secured by the end of the 1992/3 session under the direction of Dr Stephen Palmer. The extension and refurbishment of the Sir Herbert Duthie Library is completed. Commissioning targets for Postgraduate education throughout Wales negotiated annually with each District General Hospital/Trust.
1995
UWCM wins national UK competition for best designed University Prospectus.
The establishment of ‘The Partnership Board’ with the University of Wales, Cardiff, strengthens the relationship between the two institutions. Three specific areas for development are identified — medical molecular biology neurosciences and societies, health and the environment. First cohort of students to pursue the new medical curriculum in Cardiff admitted to the College in September. One of its key aspects — first year one-day clinical attachments. Major expansion of the College with the integration of the South East Wales Institute of Nursing and Midwifery Education and the Institute of Health Care Studies, both previously managed by the NHS.
1996
Research Assessment Exercise produces outstanding results, particularly in Clinical Medicine. The Vice Chancellor, Professor Ian Cameron, writes in the Annual Report, "these results put us firmly with the leaders in clinical research".
Vice-Chancellor, University of Wales College of Medicine (1994-2001)