Psychiatric Bulletin (2003) 27: 471. doi: 10.1192/pb.27.12.471
© 2003 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Psychiatric Bulletin (2003) 27: 471
© 2003 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Professor John Cox
(Introduced by Professor Dinesh Bhugra)
Professor John Lee Cox has made significant contributions to British
Psychiatry at a number of levels, in a number of ways. I shall follow three
aspects of his contributions. Having graduated from Oxford, he attained his
membership of the Royal College of Physicians in 1970 and Membership of the
Royal College of Psychiatrists in 1978. He received his DM from Oxford in 1978
and was elected as a fellow of Royal Colleges of Physicians of Edinburgh in
1985 and of London in 1997. He worked as an academic psychiatrist in London,
Uganda and Edinburgh before being appointed as Foundation Professor of
Psychiatry at the University of Keele. In this role, and as Head of the
Department during two periods, he not only motivated a generation of
psychiatrists from the UK and abroad but also led a service development in a
number of subspecialties in the Department. His clinical interest and
contributions in the field of perinatal psychiatry have been enormous. He won
the Hospital Doctor of the Year Award in 1992, which in his humble style he
attributed to those around him. His leadership in developing innovative
services and his research interests led to the development of the Edinburgh
Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) as a widely recognised and used screening
instrument. It is apposite that the second edition of the book on the EPDS is
being launched here.
He was awarded the Marcé Medal in recognition of his distinguished
contribution to the field of perinatal psychiatry and he served as President
of the Marcé Society. As a teacher, he established MSc in General
Psychiatry in Keele, which has been extremely popular among local and
international students. His interest in the field of transcultural psychiatry,
spirituality and cultural matters have led to a number of changes in clinical
practice and management. His interest in education and training, along with
his charm and enthusiasm, led to his election as Dean of the College having
previously been the first Chair of Section of General Psychiatry. As President
of the College, he made his mark by being one of the most approachable,
innovative and interested leaders. The College can truly look towards an
international role, largely due to his influence. His interest in issues of
race have led to the College assessing institutional racism within itself
using external assessors. The international activities have led to his
election as Secretary General of the World Psychiatric Association – the
first British psychiatrist in 30 years to achieve this.
In summary, Professor Cox is a psychiatrist of significant stature, who is
well known nationally and internationally for his contribution to the
advancement of mental health in general, and transcultural psychiatry and
perinatal psychiatry in particular. He is an excellent clinician and
scientist, and is outstanding for his hard work in both academic and service
development areas. He has made significant contributions at local, regional
and national levels where his international status in the field of perinatal
psychiatry is distinguished and outstanding. He can justifiably be singled out
as one of the outstanding individuals across various medical disciplines.
President, ladies and gentlemen, it is appropriate that I present Professor
John Lee Cox to you in this city, whose name will forever be linked with
him.
