Luton and Dunstable Hospital becomes a University Hospital for UCL Medical School

Luton and Dunstable Hospital has become a University Teaching Hospital of UCL Medical School.

The achievement is seen as recognition of the excellent teaching that student doctors receive at Luton and Dunstable Hospital.

A total of 62 medical students from University College London are currently receiving their training from Luton and Dunstable Hiospital. This is represented by 43 final year students, 10 students in their 4th year and for the first time, the hospital recently took on 9 of UCL's 3rd year surgical students for their first clinical year.

Professor Jane Dacre, Director of UCL Medical School, said: "We are delighted that Luton and Dunstable Hospital has become part of the UCL family helping to deliver high quality and breadth in medical education. The L&D leadership team has shown how much they value medical training and this has been essential to the creation of a very positive relationship between students and tutors which will have an excellent impact on future doctors and patients."

"Becoming a University Teaching Hospital is the realization of a longstanding ambition," said Dr Mark Alexander, consultant radiologist and Director of Medical Education at Luton and Dunstable Hospital.

"Arriving at this point is the next stage in our challenge to focus on clinical excellence, quality and safety. The enthusiasm and determination of our Chief Executive, Pauline Philip with the support of the Hospital Chairman, Governors and Board have helped make full university teaching status a reality. This is a great milestone in the history of Luton & Dunstable Hospital and means that we can now train more doctors here than ever before."