Karen Lee has backed proposals that could see Lincoln a medical school created in Lincoln.
Lincoln University has teamed up with the University of Nottingham in launching a bid to the Higher Funding Council for England in order to secure the money to build the facility in the city.
Speaking about the bid, the universities have released this joint statement: “The University of Nottingham in partnership with the University of Lincoln has submitted a bid to the Higher Education Funding Council for England to offer first class medical education in Lincolnshire.
“It is proposed that in the future, students will be able to apply to study for the University of Nottingham BMBS degree based in a new building on the Lincoln campus. This will offer important opportunities to widen access to medicine targeting local students and grow a high quality medical workforce in the Lincolnshire community.
“This is a national bidding process and it will be several months before we hear the result.
“Both universities are very grateful for the enormous support we have had from the community in our bid to establish medical training in Lincolnshire”.
While a final decision is not imminent, should it be approved it is hoped it can help support medical workers already working in the region as well as ensuring many who study here are able to stay.
Former nurse, Ms Lee, who still works the occasional bank shift is backing the project to be a great success should it be granted.
“A medical school was something I called for right back I first stood for election,” she said. “It was one of my pledges.
“Lincoln has a lot to offer and Lincoln University is a first class institution so I think it will be an excellent place to put it.
“There is a shortage of doctors here and a medical school would really help with that.
“I whole-heartedly support the bid and will help in any way I can.”
Dr Gill Garden, Consultant Psychological Medicine at the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust called for a medical school to be built in the region after winning the lifetime achievement award at the 2017 Lincolnshire Health Awards.
“We really do need to support a new medical school in Lincolnshire,” she said. “That would help us recruit and retain doctors and researchers.”
