The Government's plans have already drawn criticism from members of the British Medical Association as likely to reduce the number of graduate medical students and as potentially damaging efforts to attract people from less affluent backgrounds into the medical profession.
Last month, students from Bristol University's medical school contacted Stephen Williams in his capacity as their local MP. Mr Williams wrote to the Minister for Higher and Further Education, Bill Rammell MP, asking what damage his department thought this policy will have on the drive to encourage people from a wider range of social groups to become doctors. In his reply Mr Rammell made no recognition that upfront fees will act as a disincentive for poorer students.
"It is vital that this country attracts the most talented people to study medicine, regardless of their background. The huge sums of money that the Government demands to be paid upfront will mean that only the wealthiest students can afford to choose to study medicine after a first degree."
