Looking back over the last term

Colin Melville, Head of Medical Education

Christmas is almost upon us. 2013 and 2014 cohorts have already started their break and others will follow shortly. I'm sorry I haven’t been able to meet everyone, but on behalf of all the MB ChB team I do want to wish you all a happy Christmas break.

We've been quite busy during the last term, with the refreshed curriculum now well into its second year, and changes too for those still on the pre-2013 curriculum. The Dean has hosted a number of student breakfasts throughout this term in the Trusts (thank you to our NHS partners for organising these), and we've had a positive and productive SSLC meeting.

"You said, we did..."

Gareth Knott, Student Chair, SSLC

The simple phrase "you said, we did..." encapsulates what the aim of the SSLC is; to get the views of students out there and to ensure that they are listened to, acted upon and that these actions are fed back to students.

Life at medical school is tough, really tough, and it is absolutely right for students to demand excellent experiences, education, facilities and support. All too often for some students it feels like 'excellent' is too generous a word.

Worse than that, students can feel like things can’t change or won't change. They simply complain to each other over a coffee, then buy a cookie, and merrily get on with their lives. But change has happened.

Welcome to the Medical Education Blog

Professor Lesley Roberts, Pro Dean Education

This is the first of what I hope will be many blogs created by faculty and students (with maybe a smattering of guest bloggers) within the School. I hope this will act as a forum for you to learn a little more about the staff you work with and for us to do the same about your experiences as a Warwick medical student.

I perhaps need to start with an introduction. I joined WMS in July, taking over the role of Pro Dean Education from Professor Neil Johnson. This was a big move for me, having spent almost the last 20 years working in the Medical School at Birmingham.

The schools are very different in size, age and of course in terms of school leaver versus graduate entry. My new role expands far beyond the MB ChB and I have responsibility for our educational delivery, development and strategy including our postgraduate programmes and other professional training.