Limerick
Brian McLaughlin
The University of Limerick has made a proposal to the Government to establish a medical school on its campus. The initiative has been supported by the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Mr Tim O'Malley, who is a Limerick-based pharmacist.
"The introduction of postgraduate entry to medical schools has already been proposed by the Minister for Education and Science, Mr Noel Dempsey, and needs to be progressed by our third-level institutions. We need to plan now to meet future medical requirements," Mr O'Malley added.
He said that since the points system came in, only the highest achievers had been able to study medicine. "There is nothing wrong with high achievers in medicine, but having a string of As in the Leaving Cert shouldn't be the only way into medicine. I support the development of a new method of education for doctors. That is, people should first do a primary degree in science and only then go on to medicine."
A national working group to examine undergraduate medical education and training in Ireland has been established. It will have regard to the Programme for Government including strategic changes set out in the 2001 Health Strategy.
"Obviously, the recommendations which will be made by this group will have important implications for the developments such as that proposed at the University of Limerick and must be taken into account," he said.
UL has 10,500 students and provides courses in nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language and music therapy.