Hull York Medical School

Hull York Medical School
Established	2003
Type	Medical school
Dean	Professor Tony Kendrick
Location	York and Kingston-upon-Hull 53.771246°N 0.372247°W / 53.771246; -0.372247 & York 53.949748°N 1.049995°W / 53.949748; -1.049995, England
Qualification gained	MBBS with optional intercalated BSc
Affiliations	University of Hull University of York National Health Service
Website	http://www.hyms.ac.uk

The Hull York Medical School (HYMS), is a medical school in England which took its first intake of students in 2003. The school was opened as a part of the British Government's attempts (under the Labour Party) to train more doctors, which also saw Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Peninsula Medical School and University of East Anglia Medical School open their doors.

History

The early history of medical education in Hull and York goes back to the three following institutions: Hull Medical School (1831), York Medical Society(1832) and the York Medical School (1834). Notable doctors associated with the York school included John Hughlings Jackson, Daniel Hack Tuke, Thomas Laycock (physiologist), James Atkinson (surgeon), and Sir Jonathan Hutchinson. It is thought that the York school closed in about the 1860s. The medical school building at the University of York is named in the honour of John Hughlings Jackson.

The founding of a medical school as part of the University of Hull was considered in the Report of the Royal Commission on Medical Education 1965–68 (Todd Report) (published 1968), however the idea was thought not to be viable until the Humber Bridge was completed, as this would enable students to travel to attachments in South Lincolnshire.

Teaching

The medical school admits 140 students each year, 1,000+ applied for 2007 entry. Of the successful applicants each year seventy are based at the University of Hull and the other seventy are based at the University of York. The medical school has scored well in University League tables; The Guardian newspaper ranked HYMS as the second best medical school in 2005. In 2008, HYMS was ranked both 17th and joint 5th in The Guardian league tables and The Times Good University guide, respectively. As of 2006 applicants have been required to sit the UKCAT admissions test. Information about the test and preparation can be found at UKCAT.

The course has had, in the past, a high proportion of mature students when compared to other medical courses. The 2005 intake had 44 mature students spread over both Hull and York universities, a higher number than in most medical schools.

Students spend the two years in phase one at their academic bases (either Hull or York). Phase two consists of rotation around York, Hull, Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Scarborough. In the final year of the course (phase three) students essentially take on the role of a 'junior' pre-registration house officer and are also able to carry out an 'elective' period overseas. This is a common feature in most UK medical curricula. The school's first international students began their studies in September 2006.

The HYMS course uses Problem-based learning as opposed to more traditional teaching methods, and students see a great deal of clinical contact from the first year of their course as opposed to other medical schools. This has been praised by the General Medical Council and students alike, who see the vocational nature of the course one of the most exciting parts of their medical education. There is also a great emphasis on the community aspects of medicine, with students spending half of their time in General Practice as opposed to the more traditional hospital oriented clinical placements.

The course uses clinically orientated subjects, as opposed to traditional medical school subjects which are more abstract science based.

Loxley Building, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull campus

Like other medical schools, HYMS also offers the ability to intercalate a BSc degree in various subjects, such as anatomy, biology and ethics.

Students spend five years at HYMS and graduate with a MB BS degree (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery).

List of Deans

• Professor William Gillespie OBE (2003–2007)
• Professor Ian Greer (2007–2010)
• Professor Tony Kendrick (2010–Present)

Notable Staff

Professor John Lee, professor of Clinical Pathology was a co-presenter on Anatomy for Beginners (screened in the UK on Channel 4 in 2005) in which he explained the dissections of Gunther von Hagens. He co-presented a second series with von Hagens in 2006 called Autopsy: Life and Death (Channel 4, 2006).

External links

• The Hull York Medical School
• Discussion forum for applicants to Hull York Medical School

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