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University of Sussex Media Release.
. MPs support medical school bid

26th February 2001
For immediate release

Brighton and Hove's three MPs have backed plans by the Universities of Sussex and Brighton to set up an undergraduate medical school in the city.

Ivor Caplin, David Lepper and Des Turner have written to Health Secretary Alan Milburn saying Brighton is an "outstanding candidate".

Speaking at Sussex University's Falmer campus, Hove MP Mr Caplin said the school would represent another centre of excellence in the city.

Des Turner, MP for Brighton Kemp Town, pointed out the far-reaching impact if the proposals were successful. "There isn't an undergraduate medical school in the whole of the South East region" he said. "This will be a tremendous fillip to the two Universities and the benefits will spread to the rest of Sussex and Kent."

The joint bid to establish the Brighton and Sussex Medical School by 2003, with a proposed intake of 128 students, was submitted to a Government committee last December. Since then, the Universities have been gaining the support of GPs and health care groups that would be involved in the education and training of young doctors.

Clinical training would take place at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, while teaching would be shared by the two Universities. Some 160 jobs are expected to be created if the plan succeeds.

On Friday, February 23, representatives from both Universities made a further presentation to the Department of Health and the Higher Education Funding Council for England outlining the latest support for the £28.5 million scheme. The Government is expected to announce the successful applicants in April.

Notes for editors

For further information, please contact Jacqui Bealing or Alison Field, University of Sussex, Tel. 01273 678888, Fax 01273 877456, email J.A.Bealing@sussex.ac.uk or A.Field@sussex.ac.uk.

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