From 1st August 2015, the biomedical faculties at the University will be reorganised into the Faculty of Health Sciences, comprising the School of Oral and Dental Sciences, the School of Veterinary Sciences, the Centre for Health Sciences Education, the School of Clinical Sciences, the School of Social and Community Medicine and the Centre for Medical Education.

As Associate Dean, Professor Purdy will provide leadership for the latter three entities, supported by the Heads of School and the Programme Director: MBChB and the Programme Director: Curriculum Development. She will work closely with the Dean of Health Sciences, Professor Sandy, to drive forward the strategy for research, to enhance and augment our undergraduate medical curriculum, and to ensure greater integration of teaching and research.

Professor Purdy is a GP and a Professor of Primary Care at the University’s Centre for Academic Primary Care (CAPC). She is an experienced clinical academic who has held leadership roles in both the NHS and several universities. She also acts as advisor to national bodies on policy and research and, until recently, was academic lead for the local NIHR Primary Care Research Network. At CAPC she leads a research programme into unplanned hospital admissions, one of the biggest challenges facing the NHS today.

Professor Purdy said: “I am delighted to be appointed to this new role as Associate Dean for Social and Clinical Medicine. It is a very exciting and challenging time for medical education and research in Bristol. I am looking forward to working with colleagues as we plan a new curriculum and build on our existing research strengths with the aim of significantly impacting the future health of individual patients and populations.”