Dr John Reid officially opened the Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) when he visited this week (15 October).

The Secretary of State for Health met some of the 136 students who managed to win places on the five-year degree programme. Dr Reid also met the Dean of BSMS, Professor Jon Cohen; Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sussex, Professor Alasdair Smith; and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Brighton, Professor Sir David Watson.

This is the first intake of students for BSMS, which is a joint venture between the University of Brighton, the University of Sussex and the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust.

BSMS received more than 970 applications - meaning each of the 136 places was oversubscribed seven times.

Clinical training will be based in hospitals, GP practices and clinical centres throughout Sussex. Academic study will take place in new buildings at both universities.

Prof Jon Cohen, Dean of BSMS, said: "The establishment of a medical school in Brighton is a wonderful boost, not only building on the academic strengths of the universities of Brighton and Sussex, but also a matter of pride for the local community, who will see real improvements in health provision as a result of our new school as well as wider economic benefits."

The £28.5 million school has been funded by the Department of Health and the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).