19 August 2011
Funding for new facilities at Medical School
The Tayside NHS Board Endowment Fund has pledged £1million towards the major redevelopment of educational facilities at the University of Dundee’s School of Medicine.
Professor John Connell, Dean of the Medical School, welcomed the news which he said will significantly enhance the vision of matching the University’s reputation for excellence in medical education with high quality facilities.
NHS Tayside has a long-established track record in supporting teaching having worked closely with the University since Ninewells Hospital & Medical School was first built in the late 1960s. The hospital and medical school are recognised nationally and internationally, enjoying a high reputation for innovation and leadership in undergraduate teaching and excellence in clinical practice.
Teaching has evolved over the years and the facilities in the Medical School now requires to be upgraded to match these new demands by providing better use of space and new facilities which will allow for IT-based teaching, e-learning, small group work and student self-directed learning.
Professor Connell said, 'This outstanding contribution from NHS Tayside will help us significantly as we seek to match the reputation for excellence in medical education with high quality facilities.
'We are delighted that the NHS Endowment trustees have made this very generous pledge, which reflects the very close relationship between NHS Tayside and the University in professional undergraduate and postgraduate education.
'We will continue to seek to raise funds from a range of sources, including an active public campaign, to bridge the final gap in our fundraising efforts, in order that we can complete our renewal and refurbishment project in a timely manner'
Dundee is internationally recognised as a leading provider of medical education. It is consistently rated as one of the top medical schools in the UK, and was ranked 58th in the world for medicine in a survey earlier this year.
In May, the University launched a fundraising drive for the £4.5million required to complete the £11.2 million transformation of the Medical School site, which will take place in three phases.
Sandy Watson, Chairman of Board of Trustees, said, 'Many of NHS Tayside’s consultant medical staff are actively engaged in delivering the undergraduate curriculum.
'Patients in NHS Tayside benefit from this close association as there is a natural symbiosis between the effective delivery of highly rated undergraduate curriculum and the delivery of an effective and high quality healthcare service to patients.
'That is why Board of Trustees are delighted to pledge this £1m. It will ensure Tayside patients continue to receive the highest standards of care.'
Notes to editors:
Tayside NHS Board Endowment Fund holds endowment property and funds for purposes relating to health services or research. The Endowment Fund is funded by donations and legacies received from patients, their families, the general public and other organisations.
Donations to the Tayside NHS Board Endowment Fund can be used for many things including:
- Buying items for patients which will make their stay in the hospital environment more comfortable - these are usually donations to Patients’ Comfort Funds and are used to purchase ‘extras’ such as TVs or DVD players or items for patients' lounges.
- Improving staff facilities and by providing services that improve staff wellbeing.
- Providing educational and training opportunities for staff.
- Providing funds in support of research projects which are of benefit to the NHS.
- Introducing new pioneering ways of delivering care, not currently funded by the NHS, which can then be evaluated by doctors and nurses.
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