The University of Worcester has been given the go ahead to begin recruiting students to the new Three Counties Medical School.
The new medical school will make a major contribution to tackling the shortage of medical doctors in Worcestershire and surrounding counties. The news has been warmly welcomed by NHS chiefs and political leaders.
The facility has been partly funded through a £3m grant from the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, through the Government’s Getting Building Fund.
University of Worcester’s Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive, Professor David Green CBE DL, said: “We have been working to create the foundations for a medical school to serve the region for over four years now. The team have done a wonderful job as have our contingent partner Swansea University Medical School.
“The General Medical Council quite rightly scrutinise the training of medical doctors with laser precision. We are delighted that we have passed their tests so far and may now proceed to select and admit the first cohort of students.
“Over at least the next five years the GMC will continue to monitor our progress intensively to ensure we meet their rigorous standards. We will do our very best to ensure that we pass every test and produce very well-educated, high quality doctors graduate in sufficient numbers over the years ahead to turn the shortages of medical staff in the region into history.”
The Government’s Getting Building Fund is a £900 million fund to deliver jobs, skills and infrastructure across the country. The grant from Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership has been match funded by the university and will be used towards modern green initative, demolition works and infrastructure provision including this medical school.
Professor David Green CBE DL also gave his thoughts on the latest development to BBC Hereford and Worcester, you can listen to the full show here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09r60w5