The NIMSC represents all medical students in Northern Ireland. It considers and acts on matters affecting those studying medicine.
The committee also works closely with the NIJDC (junior doctors committee) to advise on issues of concern to medical students and to update the committee on the work of NIMSC.
Our priorities
Student mental health
NIMSC carried out a mental health survey in 2019 targeting all medical students currently studying at Queen's University Belfast (QUB). The survey was intended to flag-up any issues with the mental health support services provided by QUB and to seek ways in which students feel these services could be improved.
Widening participation
Following on from the success of previous widening participation events, as well as the schools’ engagement event at the 2019 ARM, NIMSC will continue its work in this area. This will include more visits to schools and looking at other ways to improve access to medicine.
Student finance
NIMSC has put together a simplified, easy to follow guide to provide students with the information needed to navigate through the world of student finance, and to point them in the direction of the help and support that is available. The committee will continue to work on this area again this session, with a focus on the hidden costs of medicine, as put forward in one of our motions at the 2019 MSC conference.
New medical school in NI
NIMSC will continue to keep members informed of progress regarding the new medical school at University of Ulster.
Medical workforce planning
Along with the other NI branches of practice, NIMSC will continue to influence the Department of Health and Social Care to produce a comprehensive and effective medical workforce plan.
Our people
The committee is made up of two representatives from each year of study. Representatives are elected via an online election. Any future opportunities to stand for election to the NIMSC will be detailed on this page, along with details of how to stand.
The committee has cross-representation with the Northern Ireland consultants, junior doctor, staff and associate specialist, general practitioner and medical academic committees. We also have cross representation with the UK medical students committee.
Deputy chair and Interim chair: Aisling McCarthy
The committee includes two representatives from each academic year.
First year
Victoria Paice
Hannah Kerr
Second year
Colleen Daly
Aaron Campbell
Third year
Grace Richmond
Fergal Grannell
Fourth year
Ioan Llwyd Hughes
Shane Joseph O’Hara
QUB rep
Aidan Murray
Deputy QUB rep
Aisling McCarthy
Other members
Scrubs - Michael McLarnon
Co-opted members
Ellen Adair
Fearghal Hosty-Blaney
Anna Mary Murray
Ellen Mary Skelly
Our meetings
We meet four times a year to discuss the latest issues affecting medical students in Northern Ireland. Only members of the NIMSC may participate in votes; however, medical students who are BMA members are welcome to attend in a non-voting capacity as part of the BMA committee visitor scheme.
Upcoming meetings:
- Wednesday 27 May 2020
All meetings take place from 2pm to 5pm at:
BMA Northern Ireland
16 Cromac Place
Cromac Wood
Belfast
BT7 2JB
For more information please email Hilary Nesbitt ([email protected]) or call 028 9026 9666.
Get in touch
If you are interested in finding out more about the work of the NIMSC, email Hilary Nesbitt ([email protected]) or call 028 9026 9666.
The NIMSC is always keen to hear the views of medical students on the work that the committee is doing and what its priorities should be. You can email the chair, Leo Mansel, via Hilary Nesbitt ([email protected]).