News

Training brings a local link for doctors

(19 June 2003)

The University of Durham today (17 June) celebrates the completion of training of the first intake of medical students who are based at the Queen’s Campus in Stockton.

The five year MBBS degree is a new joint venture with the University of Newcastle with students spend the initial two years based at the Queen’s Campus before moving on to the University of Newcastle to complete their final three years of clinical training in a wide range of NHS hospital and community settings across the region.

Admissions to the course at Stockton reflect the existing success of the University in recruiting a broad range of students. 41% of the completing students are from the North East.

Focusing on practical experience, students have a close relationship with the local community as part of their studies. In the first year each student is allocated to a pregnant woman and her family for in-depth research - looking at how pregnancy and the birth of a child affects the whole family. During the second year students are attached to someone with a long-term illness or disability which forms the basis of a special research project.

As well as these individual projects, the Medicine in the Community strand provides an opportunity for students to spend time every week during their first and second years, with hands-on community work. Placements are at sites as varied as Teesside Hospice, Diabetes UK, Cleveland Arts, Mental Health Day Services and Stockton Autistic Society.

Professor John Hamilton, Academic Director of Phase 1 Medicine said: “ this strand of the curriculum breaks new ground. If doctors are to provide comprehensive care for an individual or a family, they require insight into the factors within the community that determine health and illness. These placements allow students to gain access to parts of the community that are rarely reached through conventional health service postings”.

The University is committed to widening access and have developed a range of initiatives to encourage local students to consider a career in medicine. Michael Griksaitis from Stockton is a key ambassador for the course. He attended the Norton School and then Bede College where he was encouraged by his tutors to realise his full potential. He achieved three A’Level passes at grade A and applied to Durham after attending an open day at the Queen’s Campus. Michael said:”I wanted to be based locally and I also liked the idea of being the first student on a brand new course. It’s offered me a real opportunity to contibute to the development of the programme and particularly to the widening participation initiatives. I’ve helped set up hands-on sessions for open days and I’m now heavily involved in the planning of our first medicine summer school which takes place at the end of July”.

During his time at the University, Michael visited Holme House Prison on his community placement where he observed the medical screening of new prisoners. He now moves on to the University Hospital of North-Tees NHS Trust for a 15 week placement before rotating between other hospitals in the region.

Sir Kenneth Calman, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Durham and former Chief Medical Officer said:”Our partnership with the University of Newcastle is designed to encourage a new style of doctor, one who combines technical proficiency in medicine with a deeper awareness of contemporary health and community issues. This is an exciting challenge”.

Representatives from both universities and guests from the wider community who contribute to the community-centred curriculum will attend the ceremony. Guest of honour is Sir Donald Irvine, former President of the General Medical Council.

Professor Pali Hungin OBE, Dean of Medicine at the University of Durham said:” today we mark the transition from Durham to Newcastle and acknowledge those who have helped to shape this successful curriculum and partnership. With the support of local agencies and clinicians we have developed an innovative curriculum and we will continue to work with colleagues to enhance the experience and build on that success”.

Enquiries: Jan Cawood, Public Relations Officer, University of Durham Tel: 0191-334-0018

1. Phase 1 Medicine students were first admitted to the Queen’s Campus in October 2001. With an initial 70 students, the course has continued to grow and now takes 95 undergraduates every year.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Students without the required A levels can enter Phase 1 Medicine through the successful completion of a one year Foundation Programme, which is classed as year 0 of the degree.