Fees 'Bad Medicine' Says Student Docs

Medical students have come down hard on proposed rises in tuition fees and said that an increase could result in a potentially "catastrophic" effect on patient care.

Neil Cunningham, Chairman of the British Medical Association (BMA) Medical Student Committee in Northern Ireland said: "Studying medicine and becoming a doctor is not so much a career choice but a vocation.

"BMA is concerned that the additional debt incurred due to repayment of higher tuition fees will deter talented individuals from pursuing a career in medicine.

"This can only have a detrimental, potentially catastrophic effect, on future health service delivery and patient care," he insisted today.

Mr Cunningham, a final year medical student who is set to graduate this summer, added: "It is also important to consider how best to ensure students are retained and continue to work in Northern Ireland in the future.

"We need to retain a vibrant and competitive tertiary education sector and this can only be achieved if we value high calibre students irrespective of their financial circumstances.

"Failure to do so will result in the deskilling of professions here and, in the health service, patient care would inevitably suffer."

The BMA's concerns surrounding higher education and tuition fee rises are set out in its response to the recent Department of Employment and Learning (DEL) consultation titled, 'Future policy on higher education tuition fees and student finance arrangements in Northern Ireland'.

In addition, the document highlights the need for improved transparency when it comes to funding.

"Universities receive significant public funding, not all of which is wholly accountable," said Mr Cunningham.

"There needs to be more transparency between fee income and improvements in the quality of teaching and the student experience."

U-Turn On Fees

In February, the previous NI Employment and Learning Minister Danny Kennedy told the Stormont Assembly that a 'second round' report from the Institute of Director's Joanne Stuart would be a key consideration for his Department of student fees.

In an earlier report - also commissioned by his Department - Ms Stuart had said fees should be frozen, but this was later overturned in the second report.

The fees currently are about £3,000 per year, but Joanne Stuart recommend they rise as high as £5,750.

The Minister then launched a consultation on student finance - and also said a rise in tuition fees is almost inevitable. This has just been completed but has not yet been published.

The new Minister, Dr Stephen Farry's policy is also yet to be revealed although he has outlined the role his Department will play in helping Northern Ireland's economic regeneration on other issues.

But, on the issue of student finance and the previously established consultation that has now just been completed, the Minister said: "The Executive faces an important decision on tuition fees - one which will impact not only on student finance arrangements but also university funding.

"It is crucial that we get this decision right if we are to enjoy continued excellence in our higher education standards, whilst at the same time ensuring that university study is available to all, irrespective of background," he said, on taking office.

See: Policy U-Turn Heralds Tuition Fee Hike

(BMcC/GK)