Widening access to the medical profession

King's Extended Medical Degree Programme (EMDP) offers a more graduated introduction to medical study, providing greater academic and pastoral support for students from non-selective state schools in Greater London or participants of Realising Opportunities across England. "There are now over 270 doctors in practice, who wouldn't have been doctors if this programme didn't exist" Dr Jane Valentine, Director, Extended Medical Degree Programme - Universities UK produced a video with Dr Valentine discussing the EMDP at King's, as part of their ongoing work documenting the impact of universities in society. In a blog post for Universities UK, Dr Valentine warned that more needs to be done to ensure the diversity of future doctors. "While headway is being made in widening access to medical education, the going is slow and doctors from comprehensive school backgrounds and lower socio-economic groups continue to be underrepresented within the profession," she said. Read more of the blog on the Universities UK pages. Feature image credit, Simon Ellis, 2010