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Whilst there has been a justifiable concern over the fate of many academic Geriatric Medicine units, particularly in relation to the traditional type of Medical School chairs, one welcome development over the past few years has been a new type of partnership between research and academia-orientated clinicians and several universities.

Different models have developed including “Special Professorships” (e.g.. Professor Rowan Harwood, University of Nottingham), Honorary Professorships (e.g. Professor Tim Hendra, Sheffield Hallam University), and Visiting Professorships (e.g. Professor Stephen Allen, University of Bournemouth; Professor Paul Baker, University of Salford, Prof Tash Masud, University of Derby ). This type of development is particularly suitable for NHS consultants with a proven track record of research, publications and other academic activities. One common theme with these Professorships is a robust appointments process used by the universities, including external peer reviewers.

Professor Allen’s Visiting Professorship in Clinical Gerontology at the Centre for Postgraduate Medical Research and Education, University of Bournemouth, was awarded to acknowledge his contribution to research, teaching and the Masters programme. This has led to an encouraging result in the recent RAE, and there has been very positive and flexible support from the University for his research programme. Steve supervises two MSc and three PhD students and the university compensates the Trust for 1 PA . Professor Hendra’s Honorary Professorship at Sheffield Hallam University, in contrast, is not associated with any remuneration or time allocation in the job plan. It has allowed him currently, to supervise two PhD students and the University has a developing profile in relation to postgraduate medical education and in the training of AHPs and nursing staff. Professor Baker’s Visiting Professorship at the Faculty of Healthcare Studies, Salford University, is also not remunerated, and is in recognition of the Master’s Programme in Geriatric Medicine which he founded and runs with colleagues.

In my own case, several years of collaboration in research and in teaching AHPs in the fields of osteoporosis and falls with the University of Derby led to my appointment as Visiting Professor in Musculoskeletal Gerontology. I have had the opportunity to write and develop modules for the diploma courses for AHPs and I also supervise PhD, MSc and Diploma students in their research projects. There is no remuneration and the university does not compensate the Trust for my time; however both the University and the Trust benefit from the association, particularly in terms of developing the research profile of both institutions, and in gaining substantial research grants.

I believe that such associations can not only open doors for academically minded geriatricians, but can play an important role in preserving and developing academic geriatric medicine in addition to the more traditional academic chairs at medical schools, and the potential to increase collaboration is obvious. Time commitment is needed to make the roles successful and support is needed from the Clinical Directors at the Hospital Trusts, but the rewards are great. Like my colleagues in such positions, I have certainly found the role extremely fulfilling.

Tash Masud
Consultant Geriatrician, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust Visiting Professor of Musculoskeletal Gerontology, University of Derby

BGS Newsletter, March 2009
Issue 20 ISSN 1748-6343 20