Funding ‘ring-fenced’ for Derry med school

Gary Middleton, of the DUP, and Sinn Fein’s Karen Mullan say Department for the Economy funding for the medical college - which will be based at Ulster University’s Magee campus in Derry - is great news for the city and region

It’s undertstood £26 million of capital expenditure and £9 million revenue costs per annum will be ring-fenced.

Mr Middleton says his party has been woking with other politicians in Derry to move the issue forward and “make it a reality”.

He added: “This is a further step forward to ensuring that, in 2021, we will be able to see the first students enrolled. It will be good for the North West but also for the Health Service.”

Karen Mullan added: “Confirmation from the Executive that funding for the medical school at Magee University is ring-fenced is great news for the city.

“This will allow the University to press ahead and recruit staff and students for the proposed opening date of September 2021.

“It will also enable Ulster University to move to the next stage of the General Medical Council process, with their visit to the Magee campus later this month.

“The delivery of the graduate entry medical school will not only enable us to produce doctors to serve our local communities, it will be an important economic driver for the whole North West region.”