Artist's impression of the new Pears Building, main entrance, KMMS
Dover District Council’s Cabinet has agreed to support a local student from the district at the new Kent and Medway Medical School by agreeing to fund a scholarship of £5,000 per annum for five years.
The sponsorship will support a student starting in 2021 and will help cover their maintenances costs including rent, books, travel and equipment throughout the five-year degree course.
Kent and Medway Medical School (KMMS) is an exciting collaboration between Canterbury Christ Church University and the University of Kent and builds on their existing high-quality clinical teaching and research strengths.
From September 2020, the School will train aspiring doctors to deliver 21st century medicine. It aims to attract talented students from all backgrounds, from the local community and beyond and offer opportunities to help to transform the future of healthcare. The school wants to ensure that every student who has the ability to study medicine, has the opportunity to do so regardless of their socio-economic circumstances.
The council’s financial support will help a local student to mitigate the financial hurdles that would otherwise prevent them from accessing and completing a medical education.
By supporting the KMMS the council is making a positive contribution to future NHS capacity while also contributing towards increased diversity and training among students.
Cllr Trevor Bartlett, Leader of Dover District Council, said: “By offering this financial support we are enabling a talented student to fulfil their ambition of becoming a doctor. The new Kent and Medway Medical School is opening up exciting new opportunities for young people wishing to pursue a career in medicine. No student should be prevented from excelling in such an important vocation simply because they cannot afford it”.
KMMS Founding Dean Professor Chris Holland, said: “I am delighted that Dover District Council has offered this generous scholarship for a student from the Dover district starting at Kent and Medway Medical School in September 2021. This scholarship is another wonderful sign of the commitment our community has to supporting improvement in healthcare across the region.”
Public Health England also identifies that Kent and Medway have some of the most deprived neighbourhoods in England. A much-needed collaboration between the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University, KMMS will open up opportunities for talented students from all backgrounds to study medicine and help meet the future health needs of a large and under-served population.
Posted on 07 July 2020