The University of Sunderland is celebrating a landmark moment for its School of Medicine, after the General Medical Council (GMC) agreed to add it to the list of bodies able to award UK primary medical qualifications.
Sunderland was one of only a handful of new medical schools announced in 2018 to level out the regional imbalance of medical education places across England.
The university says that, since then, it has worked to grow both in size and reputation, with the opening of an Anatomy Centre coming in early 2022 and the move into the Murray Health Building this year.
A further £30m is included in the university’s capital plan to fund further healthcare developments, so students are taught in the best facilities possible.
“This is a seminal moment as approval of primary medical qualification – PMQ – status confirms our position as a leading force when it comes to providing the full range of health-related qualifications,” said the University of Sunderland’s CEO and vice-chancellor, Sir David Bell.
“As a result, future generations of citizens far and wide are going to benefit from the expertise of, and the care provided by, Sunderland doctors.”
The university’s School of Medicine welcomed its first students back in September 2019 and has been under the scrutiny of the GMC’s testing procedures since.
The School of Medicine’s head, Professor Scott Wilkes, explained: “For me, the absolute delight is in the wider benefit of being a significant contributor to the health and wealth of Sunderland and the wider north-east.
“Our philosophy promotes accessible medical education for talented individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, which is reflected in the diversity of our students.”
The first cohort of students are set to graduate at the Stadium of Light this July.
Professor Laura Stroud, pro vice-chancellor and dean of health sciences and wellbeing, added: “This is a huge stride forward in realising our ambition to produce excellent medical doctors to serve our patients and population here in Sunderland.
“I am proud of our staff and students who have come together to make this a reality.”
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