"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.

The SSLC has worked with the faculty to:

• Ensure a four week deadline for all feedback
• Hugely increase the number of face-to-face feedback opportunities
• Ensure students receive more teaching from consultants (e.g. OSLERS)
• Clarify what is and is not going to be in upcoming examinations
• Re-organise finals revision
• Give students access to the Postgraduate Hub
• Improve the experience within placements, which in some situations has not been good enough for students. Progress has been slow but we continue to work for improvements

Change needs to continue to happen and we need to continue to set the bar higher. I implore all students to maintain high expectations and when these standards are not met to act on it. Email your head of Phase and expect a response. Email your SSLC rep and let's work together.

Staff need to do better in showing that they are listening to students and showing students what actions they are taking. Also some staff need to ensure they are replying to emails - nothing annoys students more than feeling they are being completely ignored. Students - if this is happening to you please let the SSLC know.

At the SSLC we too need to do better in receiving more views from students in order to better represent your views. We need to better communicate with you to show exactly what we are doing to make the changes you want.

If you would like to share your thoughts and experiences, we'd love to hear from you in the comments section below. If there's anything you don't feel comfortable sharing here but would like to raise, please contact your SSLC reps.

A message from Lesley

"Gareth is obviously committed to the work of the SSLC and makes a very good point that it is all too easy to have a moan over coffee and then get back to work – life is full of minor irritants and moaning actually does have a therapeutic benefit but Gareth gives some convincing examples of how the SSLC has brought about real change and if irritants are more than minor I would certainly support his plea that you inform the SSLC and allow them to lead on improving things for you and those who follow you.

"I will point out that Gareth and the SSLC also do tell us when we have got things right and when changes bring about significant improvements in the student experience… like you we also need a little positive feedback to counter the negative… But are committed to getting it right. Please do make sure you continue to raise issues (good and bad) with your reps."

Have your say

Is there a current irritant you would like to tell us about here rather than wasting your precious coffee time later today? Tell us in the comment section below: