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
Finance
NIMSC has produced their latest finance guide which has been put together to provide you with the information you need to navigate the world of medical student finance, and to point you in the direction of the help and support that is available. If you have any queries please email Hilary Nesbitt at [email protected]
Racial harassment charter
NIMSC is delighted that both QUB and UU medical schools have signed up to the BMA Racial Harassment Charter. The Charter focusses on four mains areas: Supporting individuals to speak out; ensuring robust processes for reporting and handling complaints; mainstreaming equality, diversity and inclusion across the learning environment, and; addressing racial harassment on work placements. A review was carried out last year to establish medical schools’ progress to implement the charter. Read the summary report.
#ThinkAheadMed
A guidance resource aimed at highlighting the huge number of opportunities available to students both inside and outside of medical school that can help enhance their CV ahead of applying for FY1. The resource covers everything from extra-curricular roles and responsibilities to involvement in societies, quality improvement, research, teaching and demonstrating leadership etc.
Download your copy of the #ThinkAheadMed booklet.
Widening participation
Post primary pupils from across Northern Ireland attended our latest Widening participation in medicine event in Belfast. The event is part of a UK-wide initiative by the BMA to encourage pupils from all socio-economic backgrounds to consider a career as a doctor. Check out our new booklet, Why haven’t you thought about studying medicine yet? – a guide for school pupils who would like to study medicine.
Medical workforce planning
Along with the other Northern Ireland branches of practice, NIMSC will continue to influence the Department of Health and Social Care to produce a comprehensive and effective medical workforce place.
Medical Education
Representing students at the DoH Medical Student Management Group which oversees the provision of medical education through the sub deanery mechanism. The group makes recommendations that will provide an equitable student clinical experience within HSC in Northern Ireland.
Remaining in close dialogue with the GMC and ensuring students' interests are central to the implementation of the UK Medical Licensing Assessment (UKMLA).
Working with the UK Foundation Programme office to introduce a new Performance Informed Allocation process for medical graduates in which applicants will be given a computer-generated rank and will no longer be required to sit the Situational Judgement Test (SJT). The Educational Performance Measure (EPM) score will also no longer be used.
Our people
Chair: Orla Mullan
Deputy chair: David Griffith
The committee includes two representatives from each academic year representing medical schools at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) and Ulster University (UU).
First year:
UU
James Greene
QUB
Aksh Sharma
Tirth Shah
Second year:
QUB
Paravi Sapra
Cara Pirie
UU
Courtney Campbell
Third year:
QUB
Milan Kapoor
Inez Murray
UU
Jennifer Durey
Fourth-year:
Khushi Tuli
Confidence Nich
Fifth year:
David Griffith
vacant
QUB UK MSC rep
Orla Mullan
Deputy QUB UK MSC rep
Nathan Gibson
UU UK MSC rep
Eimear O Chianan Mac Siacais
UU Deputy UK MSC rep
Sean Johnston
Student representatives elected to Northern Ireland Council
Nell Haughey (5th year QUB)
Take part in one of our free courses designed to give you the right skills to:
- break down equality and inclusion bias (CPD-accredited)
- value difference and inclusivity
- live our BMA behaviour principles.
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.
Meeting dates:
- Wednesday 18 October 2023 (hybrid)
- Wednesday 10 January 2024 (online)
- Wednesday 27 March 2024 (hybrid)
- Wednesday 22 May 2024 (online)
All meetings start at 2pm.
How to join
There are many advantages to becoming involved in our committees. You can actively influence BMA policy-making and negotiations, represent your colleagues' voices and develop your leadership skills.
Each committee has a few routes to becoming an elected member. In the case of NIMSC, this is:
- Seats/term - every year, medical schools in Northern Ireland elect two representatives (QUB) and one representative (UU) from each year of study for a one-session term.
- Timeline - elections usually take place in May.
- Eligibility - all student BMA members in Northern Ireland are eligible to stand and vote in this election.
The election section below is kept up to date with details about any running elections, so make sure you keep checking it throughout the year.
Elections
Medical school elections 2023 to 2024
Elections for Chair of NIMSC will take place at the beginning of October.
Nominations are currently open for seats representing first and final year QUB students.
Get in touch
If you are interested in finding out more about the work of the NIMSC, email us 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 via our secretariat.
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