The GMC has approved the first medical school in Essex, as part of Anglia Ruskin University.
The university will have a strong focus on general practice, to curb the shortage of GPs in the area, with courses to begin by next September.
The university plans to bid for ‘about 100’ of the additional 1,500 training places promised by the Government last year, and which it has proposed would go to medical schools that aim to boost GP trainee numbers by exposing students to general practice.
The GMC has approved the first medical school in Essex, as part of Anglia Ruskin University.
The university will have a strong focus on general practice, to curb the shortage of GPs in the area, with courses to begin by next September.
The university plans to bid for ‘about 100’ of the additional 1,500 training places promised by the Government last year, and which it has proposed would go to medical schools that aim to boost GP trainee numbers by exposing students to general practice.
The new school of medicine building, located at the university's Chelmsford campus and currently under construction, will be fitted with ‘mock’ GP teaching and consulting rooms as well as other specialist teaching facilities.
Dr Ruth Jackson, pro vice chancellor for the school of medicine development, said: ‘We are passionate about making a significant contribution to the medical workforce in Essex.
‘At the moment, there is no pathway in Essex for the most able students in regional schools to practice medicine.
‘We hope that the School of Medicine will change this and help the county and wider region to train and retain its own doctors.’
Professor Iain Martin, vice chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University, said: ‘The Anglia Ruskin medical programme has reached this key stage through the hard work of our team and the commitment of our healthcare partners across Essex.
‘Building on our expertise in educating a wide range of healthcare professionals the new medical programme will help to ensure that our region can meet the workforce needs of the healthcare system into the future.’
For more on GP workforce recruitment, register here to attend a Healthcare Leader Forum event in Birmingham to hear from Dr Keiran Sharrock on recruiting and retaining the GP workforce.
