Published: 01.08.08

As its first cohort of 94 doctors graduates this July, Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) continues to be the most popular medical school in the UK.

As a new school, BSMS has been able to combine the best of the old and new in its teaching. Traditional anatomy teaching takes place in a modern dissection room and with state-of-the-art imaging facilities. Students learn about the body one system at a time and meet patients in their first fortnight.

Over the last five years, they have spread out over the globe for an eight-week elective experience and undertaken research projects which have meant some of them seeing their names in print. Many have chosen to spend an extra year studying, taking an intercalated degree at the University of Brighton or Sussex.

Amy Reimoser, 28, from Littlehampton, is one of the first graduates. She spent her elective in Durban, South Africa. ‘It was an amazing experience, seeing the array of problems that stem from having poor or no ante-natal care and I got loads of hands-on practice at looking after babies. My month of travelling around such a beautiful country, from Cape Town to Kruger National Park, made it a once-in-a-lifetime experience never to be forgotten.’

Chloe Jagger, 24, from Salisbury, went to went to Bangkok, Thailand for her elective. She worked at Siriraj hospital. ‘I did some endocrinology and obstetrics and gynaecology. It was interesting to see their huge group teaching styles, how hard students there have to work, and the mix of ultra-modern and old in their hospitals.

‘For my research project I studied breech births at RSCH, looking at local and national practice and guidelines. I think I’d like to go into obstetrics and gynaecology.’

Professor Jon Cohen, Dean of BSMS, says ‘We train our students to have exposure to all sorts of medicine so that they have the potential and capability to do whatever kind of medicine they choose, be that a GP, brain surgeon or ship’s doctor! I’m very proud of them and can’t wait to find out where their career will take them.’

This year, the first cohort have prepared for foundation training with clinical placements around Sussex.

‘Being taught and guided by a great team of clinicians has been one of the best aspects of being at BSMS,’ says Amy. ‘I have really enjoyed the clinical placements and am looking forward to my F1 posts at Worthing Hospital, starting with Care of the Elderly.’

Like Amy, most of the students will remain in Sussex for their F1 training year.

Saw Tun, 28, another graduate, will work in Croydon for a year before returning to Sussex. He says ‘It has been a memorable five years and there are many experiences, people I have met, and friends that I have made along the journey, that I will never forget. I am delighted and proud to be able to represent the first cohort of doctors to graduate from Brighton and Sussex Medical School.’