Health Service Warning Over Higher Tuition Fees



Medical students have today stated that an increase in tuition fees would result in a potentially “catastrophic”, effect on patient care.

 Neil Cunningham, Chairman of the British Medical Association’s medical student committee in Northern Ireland said: 

“Studying medicine and becoming a doctor is not so much a career choice but a vocation.

 BMA is concerned that the additional debt incurred due to repayment of higher tuition fees will deter talented individuals from pursuing a career in medicine.

 This can only have a detrimental, potentially catastrophic effect, on future health service delivery and patient care". 

Mr Cunningham, a final year medical student who is set to graduate this summer, added: “It is also important to consider how best to ensure students are retained and continue to work in Northern Ireland in the future. We need to retain a vibrant and competitive tertiary education sector and this can only be achieved if we value high calibre students irrespective of their financial circumstances. Failure to do so will result in the deskilling of professions here and, in the health service, patient care would inevitably suffer”.

 The BMA’s concerns surrounding higher education and tuition fee rises are set out in its response to the recent DEL consultation 'Future policy on higher education tuition fees and student finance arrangements in Northern Ireland'.

 In addition, the document highlights the need for improved transparency when it comes to funding.

 Mr Cunningham added: “Universities receive significant public funding, not all of which is wholly accountable. There needs to be more transparency between fee income and improvements in the quality of teaching and the student experience”.

18 Arrested In First Week Of Drink/Drug Driving Campaign

Police in Avon and Somerset have made 18 arrests for drink or drug driving during the first week of their month-long summer campaign which started on June 1. Officers across the two counties working on Operation Tonic have stopped 4,295 vehicles for checks. They are promising more high-visibility stop checks on roads across Avon and Somerset, catching offenders and sending out a strong message to anyone tempted to risk driving under the influence. Chief Inspector John Holt, of Operations and Traffic Management at police HQ, said: "We take drink and drug-driving extremely seriously all year round, but a summer campaign is a timely way of focusing people's minds on the dangers and consequences of getting behind the wheel when they shouldn't."

Young People Urged To Give Sport A Go In Olympic Legacy Push

Three hundred thousand teenagers and young adults are to benefit from a new sports programme, inspiring young people to choose sport. Launched by Sport England earlier today, Sportivate will give 14 to 25-year-olds the chance to receive six to eight weeks of coaching in a sport of their choice. As part of the Places People Play mass participation legacy programme, the £32 million National Lottery-funded project will create opportunities for disabled and non-disabled participants through a number of courses on offer. To help inspire and motivate the participants, Sport England's Sporting Champions, a team of current and retired elite athletes, will visit Sportivate sessions to share their experiences and enthusiasm for sport. And, as an additional incentive, participants who stick with sport will have the chance to enter a ballot for London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic tickets through the London 2012 Ticketshare scheme that are paid for by a levy on hospitality packages. In order to be eligible, participants will need to complete the sports course, missing no more than one session, and then continue to participate in sport for at least three months.

(BMcN/GK)