Change recognises university link

17 October 2000

The West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust in Bury St Edmunds has been recognised as a satellite of the University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine.

The hospital will be contributing to the training of 20 graduates under the auspices of the university's new graduate entry course to increase the number of doctors in the NHS.

In recognition of its key role the trust will be known as a ‘Cambridge University Teaching Hospitals Trust’ and will have a person who is nominated by the university as a non executive director on its board further strengthening the Bury Cambridge link.

“This is the most important strategic change in the history of the trust," said chief executive Johanna Finn. "lt will bring benefit to patients and staff and help to raise the profile of the hospital and Bury St Edmunds.''

The change follows the trust’s successful bid to run the new Cambridge Graduate Course in Medicine jointly with the University as part of the Government’s drive to increase the number of doctors in the NHS. The course opens the way for graduates in subjects other than the traditional sciences to pursue a career in medicine.

The first 20 students will begin their four year course next autumn and will spend approximately 30% of their time in west Suffolk, either in the hospital, general practice or the wider community. As well as studying hospital based medicine, the course will also focus on community medicine with students being taught by and spending time with GPs in the area.

More than £2 million will be invested in new residential and educational facilities which will be for the use of all staff. The trust will also employ additional clinical specialists and other staff to help with the teaching.

“The benefits will be felt in every area of the trust”, said Joanna Finn. “The link to the University of Cambridge will help us improve standards further by attracting excellent candidates to jobs here.”

 See also:

 Hospital Trust to get new teaching facilities for training future doctors

 Cambridge Graduate Course in Medicine - Newsletter