News

Special ceremony marks completion of studies of tomorrow’s doctors

(11 June 2003)

Former President of the General Medical Council, Sir Donald Irvine is guest of honour at a special ceremony on Tuesday 17 June which marks the completion of studies of the first cohort of medicine students at the University of Durham.

70 pioneering students were admitted to the University of Durham in 2001 to the new medicine programme, which is a joint venture with the University of Newcastle. The new MBBS degree is a five year course with students spending the initial two years based at the University’s Queen’s Campus in Stockton before moving on to the University of Newcastle to complete the final three years of clinical training.

Representatives from both universities and guests from the wider community who contribute to the community-centred curriculum will attend the ceremony which is hosted by Sir Kenneth Calman, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Durham and former Chief Medical Officer.

Media Call – Tuesday 17 June – prior to the ceremony, staff and students are available for photographs and interviews at 4 p.m. in the Holliday Building, University of Durham, Queen’s Campus, Stockton.

The ceremony commences at 5 p.m. in Room D003, Ebsworth Building, Queen’s Campus.

If you require further information on this release call: Jan Cawood, Public Relations Officer, University of Durham Tel: 0191 3340018.

1. In the North-East, medical education is delivered through a partnership between the universities of Newcastle and Durham, together with NHS hospitals, general practices and public health units. A total of 340 medical students begin their training at the two universities each year. 95 students per year are now spending the first two years of their studies at the University of Durham, Queen’s Campus, Stockton.
2. Sir Donald Irvine, a graduate of King’s College, University of Durham, completed his medical qualifications during the College’s transition into the new University of Newcastle in the early 1960’s. His distinguished career in medicine, particularly general practice, includes 22 years as Regional Adviser in general practice at the University of Newcastle. He became President of the General Medical Council in 1995. He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science from the University of Durham in 2002.
3. 95 students per year are now admitted to Phase 1 Medicine at the University of Durham, giving a total of 190 students on the distinctive community-centred teaching programmed based at the Queen’s Campus, Stockton.
4. An innovative programme of medical education has been devised, aimed at producing more doctors with a deeper awareness of the social context of medical practice. Training is designed to help students respect and relate well to patients and colleagues from a wide range of backgrounds, maintaining the community-centred approach to medicine in their future career. Students team up with activities in voluntary services, covering issues at grass-roots community level, beneficial and responsive to the needs of the local community, which is backed up by classroom debate and analysis.
5. Sir Donald Irvine, a graduate of King’s College, University of Durham, completed his medical qualifications during the College’s transition into the new University of Newcastle in the early 1960’s. His distinguished career in medicine, particularly general practice, includes 22 years as Regional Adviser in general practice at the University of Newcastle. He became President of the General Medical Council in 1995. He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science from the University of Durham in 2002.