Fear for heart disease research in Wales following controversial restructuring plan at Cardiff University School of Medicine

Dean of research insists new structure at medical school will 'fit to serve the needs of the people of Wales, the UK and the wider world'

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Concern has arisen over the impact on heart disease research in Wales after the country’s “most important medical school” at Cardiff University recently saw staff leave amid a controversial transformation project.

According to the university’s student newspaper, Gair Rhydd, the MEDIC Forward project has been aiming to see existing departments be reorganised into four new research divisions and a centre for medical education.

It also looked to disinvest from cardiology research activity, despite coronary heart disease being the biggest killer in Wales.

However, the plan closed areas of work by reviewing all functions within the School of Medicine after the plan claimed to “investigate new ways of working” and “embrace positive change that delivers real impact.”

Professor Chris Pepper, the School of Medicine’s dean of research, admitted the university has “made some strategic decisions about closure of certain aspects of cardiovascular research.” He said the project aims to focus on other research areas where it can compete on a more international stage.

The cuts into cardiology have created concern the university is neglecting the public’s welfare. It is feared the restructuring project directly conflicts with the claim “the Welsh Assembly Government has tasked the NHS in Wales with tackling CHD as a matter of high priority.” The university’s research is funded both nationally and internationally, with much funding from the Welsh Government directly.

The dean of research commented that, although the university has an “obligation to the people of Wales,” the support of external stakeholders and American grant funding means they are also committed to “the people of the European Union and, in some cases, the people of the world.”

The disinvestment will also affect the variety of topics offered to students. A second year medic said: “As a medical student, I am aware the cuts into cardiology means the second year student next year won't be able to choose this research in the student selected component (SSC). I think this is a real shame as Cardiff is known to have great research into heart disease.”

Professor Pepper refuted any claim the school is disinvesting in cardiovascular research completely, and said: “No medical school in the UK can focus on every aspect of healthcare research.”

The school wants to target key areas of strength where it can translate its research into improvement for healthcare. The university’s dean stated this would heighten “the quality of the experience that patients have within healthcare systems.”

Speaking on the project as a whole, Professor Pepper said: “I believe now, going forward into the new year, where we start the new medical school structure, we will have a medical school that is more fit to serve the needs of the people of Wales, the UK, and the wider world.”

The review and consultation process has been completed over a number of months and the newly proposed structures will be fully implemented by January 2016.

Twitter: @KatieWeston1