My problem is that the rise in tuition fees will discourage a considerable number of students who have the potential to be great doctors from applying in the first place due to the increased cost. The British Medical Association estimates only around 4% of medical students come from working class backgrounds. The BMA wanted to see this percentage rise, but it is likely to decrease now.
Some friends of mine have rightly pointed out that the government wants to have more bursaries and grants for working class students at university. But there are further cuts that may discourage them from going to college in the first place to get the required grades.
Many people who want to go to medical school come from families which can support themselves, but they fall outside the range for additional support. These people will be hit hard too.
The responsibility for encouraging working class students to apply for medicine will now be with the schools and colleges. They need to tell people what options are available to them, they can't fall back into the attitude of only those with the grades and the money can go to medical school. They need to ensure that medicine is not seen as an elitist degree.
Now is the time for medical students, medical school academics, and sixth form staff to work together to ensure we still increase that 4%
