Understand
Teesside medical school proposals aim to inspire local students and healthcare talent
Overview
Plans are progressing to establish a new medical school, potentially based at Teesside University by next September, aimed at offering healthcare career opportunities to students from less privileged backgrounds. Local medical professionals and students have welcomed the initiative, highlighting the importance of investing in local talent, though a board meeting report noted concerns that government funding for underprivileged students has not yet been secured.
Key points
- Proposals are underway to set up a new medical school that could be based at Teesside University from next September.
- Surgeon Barney Green stated the school would invest in local talent and provide hope for students from less privileged backgrounds.
- Louise Campbell from University Hospitals Tees emphasised the need to encourage people from working class backgrounds into the medical profession.
- A board report noted concerns that government funding has not yet been found to support underprivileged students taking places, meaning the school may initially recruit a small cohort of self-funding students.
- Teesside University stated the plans will help raise aspirations, develop new skills, and support the region's long-term health and wellbeing.