Training our future doctors
SUNDERLAND SET FOR BRAND NEW MEDICAL SCHOOL
SUNDERLAND is to get a new medical school as part of what the Government claims is the biggest ever expansion of the NHS medical workforce.
The school, specialising in GP and psychiatric training, will be based at Sunderland University and opens its doors in September.
Ken Bremner, Chief Executive South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This development will build upon Sunderland’s proven success in medical sciences and nursing education and will help address the medical inequalities in the North East.”
Sunderland will have its own medical school for the first time, welcoming 50 students in 2019 and 100 new students in 2020.
It’s part of a major expansion of medical training announced by Health and Social Care Secretary Jeremy Hunt.
A total of five new medical schools are to be created, with the others in Lancashire, Canterbury, Lincoln and Chelmsford.
The medical school at Newcastle University will also be expanded, with 24 extra student places created.
As a result, a record number of undergraduates will begin medical training by 2020 with 1,500 new places funded across the UK, including 630 starting in September this year.
Mr Hunt said: “Setting up five new medical schools is part of the biggest ever expansion of our medical and nursing workforce which will help us deal with the challenges of having around one million more over-75s in ten years’ time. These schools are being set up in parts of the country where it is can be hard to recruit and attract new doctors – but will benefit doctors everywhere as we start to eliminate the rota gaps that add so much pressure to their work.” Sunderland won funding to open the medical school after taking part in a bidding contest against other applicants. The Government said one of its goals was to train more doctors and medical professionals in areas which currently struggle to attract them.
Of the new places, 90% are outside London, with up to a third in the North of England.
The Government also says the new medical schools will work closely with their local communities to help talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds become doctors, widening access to medicine and ensuring the profession reflects the population it serves.
Sunderland University ViceChancellor Shirley Atkinson said: “Our bid presented a compelling case for an innovative medical school for those with talent and who present the requisite medical school entry requirements, regardless of their background and social status...
“Our bid was backed unreservedly by our NHS partners and clinicians and we are also working closely with the city council to provide an environment and a range of new amenities to retain young doctors in the region to halt the disappointing drift south of many newly qualified medics.”
We are also working closely with the city council to provide an environment... to retain young doctors