UPEI confirms medical school delayed due to advice from accreditation body
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — UPEI has confirmed the primary cohort of scholars of its deliberate college of drugs is now scheduled to start enrolling within the fall of 2024, one 12 months after the beginning date of September 2023 introduced by the college final fall.
In an announcement despatched to SaltWire Community, the college mentioned the choice to delay was made after the college offered its plans to the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Faculties (CACMS).
“They indicated that the 2023 consumption wouldn’t be possible in keeping with their necessities and timeline,” Greg Keefe, interim president and vice-chancellor of the College of Prince Edward Island, mentioned in an e-mail. “Subsequently, we have now shifted our anticipated date for the primary consumption of scholars to 2024. We subsequently knowledgeable our main stakeholders, together with the federal government, UPEI senate and board of governors, Well being P.E.I. and the Medical Society of P.E.I.”
Keefe added that he appreciated the monetary assist from the province of P.E.I. for the brand new college. The province has pledged to take a position $129 million within the new medical college over the following six years, together with a dedication of $2 million through the present fiscal 12 months.
The brand new college of drugs, a partnership between UPEI and Memorial College in Newfoundland and Labrador, may even have to obtain approval from the Maritime Provinces Increased Training Fee in addition to CACMS.
UPEI’s former president, Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, introduced plans for the 20-student college of drugs in early October. Abd-El-Aziz indicated the curriculum for the brand new program can be based mostly on that of MUN’s current college of drugs. The college has not clarified whether or not residency positions can be based mostly in Prince Edward Island for graduates of this system.
Catherine Stewart, CEO of the Maritime Provinces Increased Training Fee, mentioned she was not shocked by the delay and mentioned it was probably the college is concentrated on gaining the correct accreditation from CACMS. She mentioned the MPHEC has but to obtain a full venture proposal from UPEI.
“Our work solely begins when we have now obtained a venture proposal from the college,” Stewart mentioned. “For us, we’re simply it from a top quality assurance perspective.”
Stewart mentioned MPHEC approval is required when new post-secondary diploma packages are began. She mentioned approval from MPHEC can take between three and eight months.
The delay in this system was initially revealed publicly throughout a finances estimates debate within the P.E.I. legislature on March 2. Training Minister Natalie Jameson instructed members of the Inexperienced Opposition in regards to the new fall 2024 timeframe after being requested about it by Inexperienced MLA Lynne Lund.
P.E.I., like different provinces within the area, is dealing with a scarcity of each household docs, nurses and different health-care employees. Over 22,000 Islanders lack entry to a main caregiver.
Stu Neatby is a political reporter with the SaltWire Community in Prince Edward Island.
