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Birmingham University and College Union is extremely concerned at the situation in the School of Health Sciences and is dismayed that the university's response fails to acknowledge the extent of the crisis there ("'Punishing' style puts staff on critical list", January 19).

The Times Higher misquotes BUCU as stating that our members in the school "are asking how much more time it takes for the university to act to address the problem". In fact, our submission to the Stress Review Group last July said members were asking "how much more it takes", referring not merely to delays but to the mounting allegations of bullying, favouritism and mismanagement. It is now time for an independent inquiry into management and appointment practices at the School of Health Sciences.

Sue Blackwell
Press officer/vice-president, BUCU