Ian Colin Stuart Normand

Colin Normand was appointed to the foundation chair of child health at the new medical school of Southampton in 1971. His early years in Southampton were an exciting time as the new medical school took shape and there was the chance to innovate. Colin was very involved in the new curriculum, particularly as part of the team developing the then ground breaking fourth year study in depth, which was a unique feature of the Southampton course. He was also instrumental in promoting the use of regional centres for clinical teaching in paediatrics, making peripheral consultants honorary staff members of what was unofficially known as the Wessex Medical School. This involved him in the politics of increasing consultant numbers in the peripheral units where consultants often worked singlehanded. Over the years he became active in almost every aspect of university administration, and his skills as a chairman were sought after. He served on many august committees and boards in Southampton, in the region, and nationally, and he was an examiner and adviser to numerous bodies. He was deputy dean to the faculty of medicine from 1977 to 1980 and then dean from 1990 to 1993, during which time he oversaw the incorporation of the schools of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and nursing into the faculty of medicine and worked hard to increase the collaboration between the university and the NHS—in particular NHS funding of certain university posts.

Under his guidance the paediatric department was a harmonious and stimulating place to work. He built it into a well-balanced and respected unit and somehow avoided the factions and tensions that can so easily develop. Sometimes he …