Medical Students Committee update
December 2005
Dear Colleagues
Welcome to the first BMA MSC update of the 2005-06 session. We have been working hard on your behalf to improve the situation for UK medical students by liaising with key stakeholders on many issues - some of which are listed below. This email is designed to alert you to information that we hope will be of interest and of benefit to you. Links to web based information are provided in this email - members who are logged into the BMA website can access them directly.
Graduates and top up fees
Graduate students will be required to pay top up tuition fees, up front when the £3,000 fees are introduced in 2006. We believe that this will have a detrimental effect on the widening participation agenda and adding your voice to our concerns is vitally important if we are to effect change. We’ve written to the Minister for Higher Education and Skills and are urging medical students to write to their MP and to sign a petition. Find out more about lobbying your MP and to sign a petition against the proposal.
Medical School Charter
The introduction of individual contracts by some medical schools caused some concern amongst student representatives. Following policy passed by the profession in 2004, the BMA MSC, on behalf of UK medical students, has been developing a bilateral charter of the responsibilities of both medical students and medical schools together with the Council of Heads of Medical Schools (CHMS). We are pleased that the first Medical School Charter was agreed by both parties in September 2005. As a joint publication the document sends a powerful message of cooperation to students and a consistency of view with regard to behaviour and attitudes.
Dyslexia
The Committee has produced information to assist medical students who have dyslexia. The guidance explains what dyslexia is and outlines the support that dyslexic students are entitled to. Read the information on dyslexia for medical students.
Medicine in the 21st Century
The Committee has revised its recommendations for undergraduate medical education – these are developed by the MSC as ‘gold standard’ for medical education. The document is being circulated to your Deans and will be taken forward by your local BMA representatives. Review a copy on the BMA website – why not take a look and see how your school compares?
Foundation programmes
Final year students have experienced a range of application processes for foundation programme posts commencing in 2006. For those experiencing the system this year anticipation of the results on 31 January is nerve-racking; for those not in their final year, the lack of reliable information is disquieting. Students wishing to know about how the system was run this year may find the guidance from the MSC useful. There is no doubt that the system will be modified again next year. The MSC is representing you in key MMC forums but we must each take responsibility as individuals to find out as much as we can about the process. Check the BMA and MMC websites regularly for developments.
NHS Bursaries
The scandalous delay in payments of NHS bursary to health students has caused untold financial hardship across the country. The MSC acted quickly and decisively once we were alerted to the problem. We are seeking assurances from the NHS student grants unit that this will not happen again. If you still have not received your bursary, we want to know. Please email info.students@bma.org.uk.
This year there was an unprecedented level of interest from students seeking to represent you at the MSC with elections taking place at 20 UK medical schools. In addition, there are Intraschool Committee Chairs (ISC) in most UK medical schools. Find out who your representatives are.
We are a representative Committee and as such look forward to hearing from you during this session either via your reps, or in person at the annual MSC conference. This not to be missed event is being held in Edinburgh. Keep an eye out for further details in student BMA news and on BMA noticeboards in your medical school.
Seasons greetings and best wishes
Kirsty Lloyd
Chair
Medical Students Committee
British Medical Association
07785 377 635