Essex is set to have its first medical school after Anglia Ruskin University was given the go ahead to open one.

East Anglian Daily Times: Artist's impression of the new anatomy room at the School of Medicine at Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford. Picture: RIVINGTON STREET STUDIO/ARUArtist's impression of the new anatomy room at the School of Medicine at Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford. Picture: RIVINGTON STREET STUDIO/ARU (Image: Archant)

The General Medical Council has approved the university’s undergraduate medical programme and has granted it school of medicine status.

• Proposals unveiled for new medical school in ChelmsfordBased in Chelmsford, work is already well underway to create the specialist teaching facilities at the existing Anglia Ruskin University campus.

The first students will start their degrees in September next year, subject to government funding the university is bidding for.

East Anglian Daily Times: Artist's impression of the GP waiting area at the new School of Medicine at Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford. Picture: RIVINGTON STREET STUDIO/ARUArtist's impression of the GP waiting area at the new School of Medicine at Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford. Picture: RIVINGTON STREET STUDIO/ARU (Image: Archant)

Dr Ruth Jackson, Pro Vice Chancellor for the School of Medicine Development, said it was an important step forward for the university and those looking to study medicine.

She said: “We are passionate about making a significant contribution to the medical workforce in Essex.

“At the moment, there is no pathway in Essex for the most able students in regional schools to practice medicine. We hope that the School of Medicine will change this and help the county and wider region to train and retain its own doctors.

“The road to GMC approval is, quite correctly, a lengthy and rigorous process and we are delighted that our medical education programme has met these stringent requirements. We will continue to work closely with the GMC once the programme is under way.”

East Anglian Daily Times: Artist's impression of the auditorium at the new School of Medicine at Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford. Picture: RIVINGTON STREET STUDIO/ARUArtist's impression of the auditorium at the new School of Medicine at Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford. Picture: RIVINGTON STREET STUDIO/ARU (Image: Archant)

Last year, the government announced it would fund an additional 1,500 training places through medical schools each year from 2018.

Anglia Ruskin is bidding for a number of these places and hopes to recruit a number of students from across East Anglia if successful.

Professor Iain Martin, Vice Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University, said: “The Anglia Ruskin medical programme has reached this key stage through the hard work of our team and the commitment of our healthcare partners across Essex.

“Building on our expertise in educating a wide range of healthcare professionals, the new medical programme will help to ensure that our region can meet the workforce needs of the healthcare system into the future.

East Anglian Daily Times: Artist's impression of the new School of Medicine at Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford. Picture: RIVINGTON STREET STUDIO/ARUArtist's impression of the new School of Medicine at Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford. Picture: RIVINGTON STREET STUDIO/ARU (Image: Archant)

“We believe that we have a very robust case indeed for receiving an allocation of the soon-to-be-announced new medical student places.”

For more information visit www.anglia.ac.uk/medicine or email tomedicine@anglia.ac.uk