Faculty of Health

On 24th September 137 students started the first year of the new Keele course. This was the successful culmination of several years hard work by over 60 members of the Academic; Support and Administrative staff .Over the subsequent 2 months, the course has gone very well, with all members of staff impressed by the students' enthusiasm and commitment. This was evident in the first week of the course, when each PBL group tackled the challenge of dropping an egg from the Medical School balcony onto a target without breaking the shell, using a selection of kit supplied by the laboratory staff. We have also been very pleased that the students have actively engaged with our ongoing evaluation of the new course, taking part in focus groups and completing questionnaires. So far, the results of this evaluation have been encouraging, and we will use this information to further improve the course. Students seem to value the new style Problem Based Learning and the integrated structure of the course.

We will be welcoming the GMC Quality Assessment of Basic Medical Education team on 13th December, and as part of their visit they will observe the first Objective Structured Skills Examination as well as meeting staff and students. Then, in January, the semester will end with the students' first summative written papers. We wish them good luck with this exam, and would like to thank again all the staff for their efforts in making the start of the new curriculum a success.

Dr Peter Coventry & Dr Rose Fricker-Gates

Ethics Update – The Yale Student Exchange

Keele is pleased to welcome the first Yale medical student as part of a student exchange that has recently been set up between the two medical schools. Sarah Lee will be here from January to April 2008 as part of a year away from Yale researching ethics and health policy. Sarah's work will be accredited from Yale , but she will have full mentoring support while at Keele. The focus of her research is on clinical decision-making and attitudes to risk. During her stay she will do a clinical rotation at UHNS to gain some experience of the NHS.

I made two visits to Yale this past year, and the School at Keele is very pleased to have come to this reciprocal arrangement. Two of our fourth year students went to the States as summer interns in Yale University's 2007 bioethics programme, and a further two students are heading to Yale for the May 2008 summer programme. Entry is competitive , and Louisa Anderson and Paul Young have both been accepted to the 2008 programme. Research done by last year's students (Sukhvans Sandhu and Nicola Murphy) was of a very high standard, and while they enjoyed their time at Yale they testify that ‘it was an amazing experience but really hard work!

The Keele / Yale collaboration will be further cemented when a visit is made by Yale School of Medicine's Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Nancy Angoff, MD. She has very kindly agreed to come to Keele and give a lunchtime presentation to staff and students (11 March, 2008, Keele campus). Further announcements will be made nearer the time. The student exchange is being run as a pilot for a larger project run by Yale that will eventually involve international exchanges to other universities as well. It is hoped that the pilot will lead to the development of a centre for scholarship in the area of ethics and comparative health policy, and parallel conferences are being planned for 2008-9, one of which we hope will be at Keele. The Keele initiative is intended to be the starting point for this larger project, for which sponsorship is currently being sought.

Dr Roger Worthington
Research Institute for Law, Politics and Justice

2008/09 Recruitment News

This September 137 students registered for year 1 of the Keele MBChB degree programme. For the first time this number included our first cohort of students who successfully completed the Keele Health Foundation Year for Medicine.

Now that the registration of new students is complete, the Admissions Office has started to process our next cohort of applicants for the Medical School . So far, 1134 applications have been received for the 5 year programme, 105 applications for the new graduate entry stream(4 year programme) and 46 applications for the 6 year Health Foundation Year for Medicine.

Each year we offer a number of recruitment events for applicants and potential applicants. This year our series of events for 2008 includes Visit Days in February and March for applicants holding offers, The Royal Society of Medicine Careers Day on 12 March, a Widening Participation summer school in July and University Open Days in June, August and October.

Anyone wishing to find out more about these events should contact the Admissions Office on 01782 583632 or 583642.

New dates for Year 5 of the Manchester curriculum

We have good news for students in Years 2-4: The final examination of the Manchester validated course will be brought forward from May to January. This move is a response to a national request for all medical schools to ensure that final year students can graduate in time to commence F1 training by early August. Under the current system, the small number that fails the finals cannot re-sit until after the F1 year commences, and so their training is often delayed by a whole year, even if they pass the re-sit examination. Students who pass in January of course have to meet course requirements for the rest of the academic year, but will be able to relax and focus on preparing for their lives after graduation. There should be no effect on scores and distinction points. The current 7 week consolidation/examination/shadowing block will be re-shaped into a 7 week ‘Preparation for Professional Practice' block, and this will be delivered at UHNS, Shrewsbury and Telford, and possible also at Stafford. The few (we hope) who fail in January can re-sit in May as a first attempt, do a shorter PPP block, and (we hope) still graduate at the normal time.

Yette & Boris Glass Foundation Lecture

A near capacity audience attended the Yette and Boris Glass Foundation Lecture in the Lecture Theatre at the Medical School on campus on 3rd October.

Professor David NuttProfessor David Nutt, Professor of Psychopharmacology and Head of the Department of Community Based Medicine at the University of Bristol and a member of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, gave a presentation which was titled "Brain Science or Sociology? What is the best approach to addiction?"

In the lecture he explained that for centuries the prevailing view on the causation and treatment of addictions has been essentially sociological. The assumptions were that the taking of drugs (including alcohol) is a socially defined phenomenon and that the failure to regulate intake represents a weakness of the will.

Professor David Nutt

Indeed the term craving is derived from the same linguistic root as cowardice. The primacy of this position has been seriously challenged in recent years. This has been the result of a combination of the rise of neuroscientific knowledge relating to the brain functions that regulate behaviours, including those related to addiction and the evidence base from controlled trials that pharmacological, as well as psychological treatments can be effective in addiction. Professor Nutt's lecture contrasted these two positions and showed how there was growing evidence that this was a false dichotomy so that utilising the merits of both approaches may well be the way forward.

To view the presentation given, please go to:
http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/ms/news/glass_foundation.htm

Life as a student in Shrewsbury

Living as a student in Shrewsbury has been brilliant, it's the perfect location to relax after a busy week on the wards, you can go out for a drink in one of the many pubs, bars and clubs, or how about a walk along Stiperstones and watching the sunset over the Welsh countryside? If that isn't your cup of tea then there is always something to do; quad biking, go karting, paintballing, clay pigeon shooting, horse riding, biking, the list is endless! If you're wondering what the accommodation is like, it isn't student accommodation at all; it is much, much better! (Editorial note: new blocks of accommodation are being constructed for 2008-09, Ellis, to replace the temporary housing you are in, but these blocks will still be of a high standard.)

Stiperstones in Shropshire

The teaching in Shrewsbury and Telford has been unbeatable. Before I came here, I had never met such an enthusiastic team of people with such passion for teaching. From FY1s to Surgeons, General Practitioners to Nurses, there don't seem to be enough hours in the day for them to teach you. Most of the teaching is done on the wards, either on a one to one basis or in small groups, which provides a great opportunity to pick up new skills and knowledge.

All in all its a great experience, and one I can highly recommend.

Ellis Hughes – Year 3 student

New Appointments

Dr Stuart McBain - Teaching Fellow in Biomedical Science

Stuart joined the School as Teaching Fellow in Biomedical Science in November, having previously worked in the Institute of Science and Technology in Medicine as the modular leader for M.Sc. Biomedical Engineering and M.Sc. Cell and Tissue Engineering. Stuart has also worked as a demonstrator in the School of Life Sciences and as a PBL tutor here at the Medical School since Sept 05.

Ms Ann Clowes - Academic General Practice Administrative Assistant

The Academic General Practice team welcomed Ann Clowes in October 07 as a part-time administrative assistant. She will provide valuable assistance with placements and teaching sessions on Yrs 1 and 2 of the course. Ann previous worked at the Nuffield Hospital .

Mrs Lisa Morgan - Undergraduate Administrative Assistant

Lisa joined the Medical School team at Shrewsbury Hospital on 1 st October 2007 , working with Susanna Barratt and Angela Walford. She has transferred from the Out Patients Department at the Shrewsbury & Telford Hospitals NHS Trust.

Mr Vere Carlin - Careers Liaison Co-ordinator

On 1 st December, Mr. Carlin joins Mr. Paul Wilson in the administration of Year 5, with particular emphasis on the transition to the Foundation Years. He will also be co-ordinating Careers issues throughout the five years of the undergraduate course.

Dr Sarah Cregan - Teaching Fellow in Surgery

Sarah joined the teaching team at University Hospital of North Staffs in October. This new post (together with another Teaching Fellow post in Medicine which commences in January) will provide a significant amount of patient-based teaching, particularly for Year 3 students. Sarah will also be undertaking a Master's in Medical Education during her year at Keele.

Dr Carl Mann - Neurology Lead, Mind & Movement Module (Year 4)

Dr. Carl Mann has been making a contribution to the teaching of the Mind & Movement module for some time, but as from October, he is now formally the Neurology lead on the module. Carl has been a consultant neurologist at the University Hospital of North Staffs Trust for the last four years.

Carolyn Derrett - Admissions Manager

Carolyn has been appointed to the post of Admissions Manager to cover Julia Molyneux's maternity leave, as from 10 th December 2007 . Carolyn's current post of Admissions Assistant will be backfilled by Carol Dasey, from the same date, and Janet McNicholas has been seconded from the Year administrative team, to cover Rachel Ansell's maternity leave, as from 11 th December. It does seem a bit like musical chairs in the Admissions Office at the moment! Congratulations to all.

Congratulations

Anita Smith       -   ILM Level 3 in Coaching

Manjit Obhrai    -   ILM Level 3 in Coaching

Sarah Philpott -   NVQ Level 3 in Business & Administration

Focus on medical student recruitment

On Feb 20th 2008 , we are holding a one day seminar on recruitment of medical students, in collaboration with Keele's admissions and Widening Participation offices. Admission to medical school is a hotly debated topic, and we are re-thinking our marketing and our use of UCAS forms and interviews. We would like to introduce lay interviewers and senior student interviewers, and develop a more open, fair system for ranking applicants. Now that the new curriculum is in place, we need to consider how best to promote studying medicine at Keele. The meeting has attracted interest from other medical schools in the UK , some of whom are using interesting and innovative approaches. The programme for the day fits between 11 am and 4 pm , with some presentations before lunch and workshops after lunch. The programme will be posted soon. We would like students and staff to be part of this meeting, so those interested should ask Helen Hesketh-Roberts (h.hesketh-roberts@acad.keele.ac.uk) for further details.

Keele Medical Student Career Committee

Following its creation in March 2007, the Keele Medical Student Career Committee has been active in creating resources and opportunities for career support for Keele Medical students. Their first ever career fair was a success, with 80 student attendees and plenty of positive feedback. Now it is time for the second Career Committee -led career fair. It is to be held between 10:45am-3:30pm on SATURDAY 8th DECEMBER 2007 , at Keele Medical School on the University Campus. The committee has used and developed the comments and suggestions received from the first career fair to make this career fair bigger and better than the last. All students (and those involved in medical student guidance and support) are welcome to attend free of charge. Each student has multiple chances to win books, kindly donated by Blackwell Publishing and Radcliffe Publishing. In addition, there will be CV clinics, multiple parallel sessions, stands and books on sale, some at reduced prices.

In addition to the career fairs, the Committee is working hard to develop its website (www.keelemedicalcareers.co.uk) and to create useful leaflets and handouts. Currently the committee is trying to forge links between students and faculty staff to create career sessions that complement the curriculum and target specific needs of each year.

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions please email ecottrell@doctors.org.uk

We look forward to welcoming you to the career fair.

Dr Elizabeth Cottrell
Academic Foundation Year 2
Facilitator of the Keele Medical Student Career Committee

Keele has the "X-Factor"

For all budding singers out there who want to release their inner divas, KMS are offering an opportunity for them to sing their heart out at the X Factor night, a night of Karaoke, moves and grooves. On the 4 th December, the Keele world can indeed be anyone's stage as performances are judged, in true X Factor style, by our prestigious panel of judges who at this time shall remain nameless but be rest assured are experts in their field! So if people think that they have what it takes or even if they don't, they should congregate at the Pig and Rat, Keele Campus at 7pm on 4 December.

Keele Medical Student Christmas Ball

The annual Christmas Ball will be taking place at the North Stafford Hotel opposite the train station on 12th December. This is a great time to leave the glad rags at home and dress up in elegance. There will be a drinks reception on arrival and a photographer will be on hand to capture the beautiful evening. Tickets are on sale now, priced at £24 for KMS members and £26 for non KMS members, and available from KMS year Reps. Photos and full reports of the fun and frolics from both events will be in the next newsletter, so watch this space!

Manpreet Lakhan (KMS social rep) and Chengetai Chinake (Med Ed News Yr 3 Rep)

The legendary "Pyjama Pub Crawl"

Picture the scene if you will; 250 people packing the hottest nightspots in Newcastle , dressed from head to foot in pyjamas, dressing gowns and slippers. This is no joke; in fact the same thing happens every year. This is the legendary Keele Medics Annual Pyjama Pub Crawl, regarded by many to be the highlight of the Keele Medics social calendar! Held annually on the Thursday of Freshers' Week, this pub crawl allows the new intake of first years to be introduced to the best pubs and bars that Newcastle has to offer and also enables returning students to catch up with friends after the summer break. Thursday 27th September saw this year's pub crawl. A total of six pubs were crammed into the route around the town centre. Special drinks offers were procured at the venues, with a good time had by all. Special mention must go to Dan and the team at Tube, who went the extra mile by putting on a large buffet and a free Buckin' Bronco! Truly the most memorable sight from an unforgettable evening for many was watching friends try in vain to stay on!! From a personal point of view, this was my fifth and final pyjama pub crawl as a student and I would like to say how much fun they have been over the five years. I would hope that this event is now set in stone and will go from strength to strength in the coming years as Keele continues to establish itself as a medical school.

Tom Cannon 5th Year Medical Student

Keele University Medical Student Surgical Society

Over 250 students attended the opening night of the Keele Surgical Society on the 30th October at the Medical Institute.

The opening address was given by the chair Catherine Colquhoun followed by the event talk on Abdominal Trauma by Mr Robert Kirby, President and guest speaker for the evening. Students were introduced to the SAU presentation concept with the first case presented by fourth year student Sam Cox. Thanks are extended to Doctor Diane Adamson for mentoring these sessions.

The event was so popular that it was run in two halves, with a buffet provided in intervals by Noahs Ark.

Students have been allocated into Surgical houses under the historical names of Hunter, Lister, Moynihan and Paget. Houses will compete over the year with points for various activities and for the house cup. Houses are led by Mr Kirby, Mr Deakin, Mr Duffy and Professor Elder. Thanks were extended to all including Mr Mike Mahon and Dr SIngh for help with anatomy.

Special thanks were extended to the hard working committee including Nicola Farrington, Lee Creedon, Angela Quigley, Patrick Casey, Kay Benyon, Raj Gill, Ellis Hughes, Karen Faulkner, and year reps Tom, Obi, Euchal, and Inderjeet.

A congratulatory letter of support was received from the Royal College of Surgeons of England with whom Keele Surgical Society is affiliated.

Student Achievement

Congratulations to Milli Gupta who recently won the Research Poster prize at the National Women's Federation Annual Conference which took place at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Bon Voyage Dr Atherton

The banners were up, the balloons were blown up, the wine was poured and the speeches prepared – all we needed now was the guest of honour!

John Atherton's Retirement

On the evening of Tuesday 30th October 2007 staff and students attended a “surprise” retirement party for Dr John Atherton, held at the Medical School , Keele Campus. John has been employed as Examinations Officer for Years 1&2 at the School of Medicine (Undergrad) for the past 3½ years. Based at the Keele campus, John took early retirement from the University of Manchester and began working part-time at Keele in October 2004. Staff and students alike attended his party to wish him well for the future. As well as speeches, guests were also invited to take part in a Multiple Choice style “quiz” with questions based around John and his time at Keele. John was thanked for all his hard work in both the assessment process and the time he has taken to give students feedback on these assessments. John was presented with a number of gifts and thanked everyone he has worked with during his time at Keele.

Staff and students would like to wish John well in his future retirement.