Findings on medical school to be published

A controversial report which recommended that a new graduate medical school should be based in the University of Limerick (UL), is expected to be published shortly.

The decision to favour UL over a joint tender from the four universities with existing medical schools (UCD, Trinity, NUI Galway and UCC) has provoked an angry reaction.

Late last week, the four held heated discussions with the Higher Education Authority (HEA) in Dublin. The HEA said the decision of the expert group was made on an objective basis and cannot be changed.

Both the HEA and the Department of Education are set to back publication of the report shortly. One source said this will help to demonstrate publicly how the process was fair to all sides.

The recommendation of the expert group was endorsed by Minister for Education Mary Hanafin.

The UL submission, which would see doctors training in various provincial centres including Tullamore, Co Offaly, is also thought to have drawn support from Minister for Finance Brian Cowen.

The expert panel ruled out any graduate entry into UCC or the other universities this year, a move which angered Minister for Enterprise Micheál Martin.

The assessment was made by an international panel appointed by the HEA. Chaired by Prof Eero Vuorio, chancellor of the University of Turku, Finland, it included several respected figures in medicine.

The graduate entry scheme is designed to increase the supply of doctors and provide an alternative route to those who do not have the required 550-plus CAO points in their Leaving Cert exams. Students must have a 2:1 honours degree and they must complete an aptitude test.

The first such tests took place this weekend at UCD and UCC - even though neither college will have graduate entry this year. Students paid €300 to complete the test.

UL will have an initial intake of 30, rising to 108 over four years. The Royal College of Surgeons will have 30 places rising to 40. The four universities will be allocated the other 92 places - but only after they have submitted revised bids.

Prospective students who have applied through the CAO for the Graduate Entry Programme will be contacted by the CAO shortly, asking them to indicate a preference between RCSI and the University of Limerick which will also commence a programme in September 2007.

The RCSI has welcomed the decision of the international panel.

Prof Cathal Kelly said: "We are delighted by the announcement by the HEA. The commencement of RCSI Medical School Graduate Entry Programme will be welcomed not only by ourselves, but by graduates who are making a reasoned career choice and understand the challenges associated with the study and the practice of clinical medicine.