Two new medical schools are planned for England as part of a programme to boost student numbers by more than 1000 from October 2003 and to draw on applicants from a broader social background.
The new medical schools—one based jointly at the universities of Brighton and Sussex and the other jointly at the universities of Hull and York, aim to attract more students from middle and lower income families, according to the Department of Health.
But the BMA has warned that students will be able to afford to embark on a degree in medicine only if more funding is made available to support their studies. Kate Duffield, chairwoman of the BMA's Medical Students Committee, said that levels of debt among medical students was putting many people off a career in medicine.
"Ever since the government replaced grants with loans and introduced tuition fees, debt amongst medical students has risen to such a level that it has made it impossible for many talented potential doctors to consider a career in medicine," she said. "Medicine is far more expensive than other courses due to the length of the course, the high cost of medical text books and equipment, shorter holidays with less time for temporary work, and the need to dress formally during the practical elements of training."
The association is also concerned about finding sufficient academic staff. The BMA's Medical Academic Staff Committee is worried that, with the increasing clinical pressures on doctors in the NHS, few would have time to teach students. In 1992 there were 1246 whole time equivalent medical academics, but by 1999 that number had fallen by 16% to 1047.
The two new schools will bring the total number of medical places to 5984 by 2005—an increase of 2235 since 1997. Other new medical schools already announced include the University of East Anglia (first intake due October 2002); the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth (October 2002); Durham University (September 2001); Keele and Manchester Universities (first intake to be confirmed—either 2003 or 2004); and Warwick and Leicester Universities (started October 2000) There will also be 335 more specialist registrar posts in cancer, surgery, anaesthetics, coronary heart disease, and mental health, said the health secretary, Alan Milburn.