§ 72. Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about the role of university medical schools in relation to the proposals in "Working for Patients."
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI have received representations from various organisations and individuals, including the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals, and the Joint Committee of Metropolitan and Provincial Deans, which represents the deans of United Kingdom medical schools and clinical facilities. Both these bodies have welcomed the commitment in "Working for Patients" to maintaining the quality of medical education. I will be considering their comments very carefully in developing our proposals.
In addition, paragraph 4.30 of "Working for Patients" explains that the steering group on undergraduate medical and dental education will carry forward its work and make recommendations in the light of the proposals in the White Paper. The steering group contains representatives of all the major bodies with responsibility for medical and dental education, and is making a constructive contribution to the implementation of "Working for Patients".