Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has announced the establishment of a new GP Sub Deanery. It will oversee undergraduate clinical placements across General Practice in support of the delivery of the medical curricula offered by QUB and UU.
The Minister said: “I am very happy to formally note that funding has now been signed off for a Sub Dean, five Locality Leads, Module Leads and clerical support to provide the support network for GP colleagues involved in medical education delivery.
Dr Louise Sands has since been confirmed in the role of GP Sub Dean. Having worked as a GP Principal, GP Trainer and Programme Director, as well as being an active RCGP Mentor and Clinical Teaching Fellow, Louise brings with her a wealth of experience.
The Locality Leads appointed are Dr James McMullan, Dr Mary Donnelly, Dr Claire Williamson, Dr Orla Laverty and Dr Brenda Campbell.
Dr Sands stated “I am delighted to take up the post of GP Sub Dean and look forward to building an infrastructure in primary care similar to that which currently exists in the five Health and Social Care Trusts. The recent uplift in exposure to general practice now embedded in the medical school curricula requires an increased need in the development of practice-specific educational resources as well as the establishment of a quality assurance framework to promote uniformity of student experience. I look forward to working with our educational partners in primary care to champion teaching throughout Northern Ireland and to ensuring consistency of undergraduate medical placement in general practice.”
