Medical Education at the University of Newcastle

Friday 30 September 2005

The Vice-Chancellor has today affirmed the University's commitment to medical education and the training of doctors.

"The medical school has a strong future and the ongoing support of the whole University," said Professor Nick Saunders.

"The Australian Medical Council recently gave the Bachelor of Medicine program the maximum accreditation and this accreditation is in no way at risk."

Recently staffing levels in the Faculty of Health were examined as part of the University wide review aimed at restoring the financial health of the University.

"There will be a loss of three and a half medical school staff teaching into the Bachelor of Medicine program. Academic staff involved in this teaching will decrease from 30.8 to 27.4 full time equivalent staff."

"This reduction of academic staff numbers will create a student to staff ratio of 16:1, which will be the lowest of any major program in the University."

The Review will reduce administrative staff available to support the Bachelor of Medicine program by 4.2 full time equivalent staff, from 18.2 to 14.0. This level of staffing will support students as well as the many clinicians outside the University who generously provide teaching and supervision of medical students for free.

"The University of Newcastle is proud of the success of its medical school. Our hallmark medical degree will continue to play an extremely important part in the University’s future," said Professor Saunders.

For interviews: Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nick Saunders, on (02) 4921 5101.