History of the Institute of Primary Care & Public Health
Cardiff University’s School of Medicine created the Cochrane Institute of Primary Care and Public Health (CIPCPH) in autumn 2011. The Institute’s name recognises the legacy of Archie Cochrane, one of the world’s most influential epidemiologist who conducted pioneering research in South Wales. It builds on a reputation over many decades for excellence in research in general practice and public health, leading the way in advancing research methods and developing the evidence base to support the best possible clinical care, learning and teaching, and health related policy.
The disciplines of General Practice, Epidemiology, Statistics and Public Health in Cardiff have always enjoyed close collaborations.
For example, in 1976, Nigel Stott, a Professor of General Practice, published his landmark trial on antibiotics for cough and purulent sputum together with Robert West, an epidemiologist, with an acknowledgment to input from Archie Cochrane.
In 2005, The Interdisciplinary Research Group, Clinical Epidemiology (formerly Community Health Science Research), brought the Departments of General Practice and Epidemiology, Public Health and Statistics together in a formal research grouping, and in 2006, the Departments physically co-located in Neuadd Meirionnydd on the Heath Park Site.
Taking advantage of the School of Medicine’s strategic plan to promote larger natural organisational groupings and multi-disciplinarity, the Departments formally merged in January 2007 to become one of the largest departments in the School of Medicine.
This radical restructuring has brought considerable added value to our teaching, research, clinical and policy contributions through promoting multidisciplinary integration, a focus into selected areas of strength and depth, investment in people, and through an ambitious and successful program of writing grants for research and infrastructure development.
All of this is delivering outputs of international quality for an energised, multidisciplinary group on a clear upward trajectory.