We live in a time where being a medical student is exciting, with the advancements in medical technology and knowledge constantly changing.
However, the uncertainty that awaits us as future doctors is also scary.
I am humbled to be elected as chair of the Scottish medical students committee (SMSC) for 2024-2025, furthering the work of the previous committee led by, now, Dr Vash Loffelmann. In my 4th year of studies at the University of Dundee, I have experienced what it means to be a medical student in the current economic climate: from increasing student intake across medical schools, the introduction of the new MLA exams, the cost of living crisis, free bus travel for under 22’s, and a BMA working increasingly hard to ensure it represents members priorities and ambitions.
These are only some of the topics that have been, and are currently, being monitored by your student representatives and the wider BMA.
SMSC had its first meeting in September where we welcomed some returning, and some new, committee members that will work to represent the best interest of students in all five medical schools of Scotland. We discussed our priorities for the year ahead and caught up on the issues affecting students locally.
I also recently met with the Cabinet Secretary of Health and Social Care at the Scottish Parliament to discuss the pressing issues affecting students today, and discussed the priorities that SMSC will carry forward. It is my personal mission to facilitate the BMA SMSC representatives and deputy representatives so that they have a platform to amplify student voices and bring them to our attention. For 2024-2025, SMSC have agreed to prioritise the following:
Medical Student Finance
More choice and flexibility in student finance is something that we have been looking into for the last few years. With many eyes on the Return of Service (RoS) bursary model currently used in the ScotGEM programme, we want to be prepared to advise National Education for Scotland (NES) and Scottish Government if they decide to roll this out nationally. We want a student finance model that makes medicine accessible to all, including Widening Participation students, without feeling shackled to debt or restricted in their choice of jobs. SMSC welcomes the ÂŁ2,400 SAAS loan uplift for general studies, transport and childcare costs, and we will continue to monitor the state of student finance for people studying in Scotland.
Public Transport
SMSC is committed to easing the burden of travel to placements for all medical students in Scotland. We are aware that outblock and rural placements can come with incredible challenges, with some students having to travel up to 1.5hrs each way between their accommodation and hospital or practice. In the last two years, Scottish students have submitted motions to improve the way that this is addressed, with calls to expand free bus travel to all students and a review of medical schools and health boards funding (i.e. distribution of the ACT funding).
UKFPO
This is a subject that arguably carries the most relevance to medical students today. To reiterate, SMSC does not want medical students to feel restricted in their choice of jobs, that includes deaneries or foundation programmes. Alongside the wider BMA branches of practice and Scottish Council, we want to make sure that students are able to make an informed decision when making their choices for Foundation Year jobs. Individual factors such as dependants, families, and preference of work are paramount in these discussions.
Medical Student Intake
The Scottish Government is committed to meeting the medical workforce demand and as such, have committed to increasing medical school places by 500 students since 2021. While SMSC shares the concern regarding workforce retention, we as medical students know all too well the impact of increasing competitiveness for learning opportunities – not just as students on clinical placement, but also in crowded tutorials and classrooms. Increasing student intake must be in tandem with advanced planning, prioritising how medical school facilities can accommodate this. Failure to do so can jeopardise Scotland’s standing as a world-class provider of medical graduates, which may make it more difficult for us to work outside the UK.
I’m also pleased to let you know that the MLA Questions Bank on BMJ On Exam is now free to use for BMA members. You can find out more here.
My personal message to medical students in Scotland: allow us, the BMA Scottish Medical Students Committee, to carry your concerns forward so that you can prioritise your studies. You deserve a committee that can be a driving force in influencing important decisions that matter to you.
Aaron Fernandez, chair of Scottish medical students committee
bmascotland.home.blog 