Catholic Medical Quarterly Vol 76 (3) August 2026
A new Catholic medical school in the UK
St
Marys Catholic University will open its doors to new Medical
Students in September. The School of Medicine will be based on the
Strawberry Hill Campus in Twickenham Getting the School open is a
fantastic achievement and required close scrutiny by the GMC. The General
Medical Council (GMC) has provided assurance that St Mary’s is currently
on track and making good progress towards required standards for medical
education. The University will initially be recruiting international
students and plans to welcome its first cohort in September 2026.
At a launch event in Westminster Cathedral we heard of the aims and valued of the School. There we heard that key touch-words of the Scholl will be “truly holistic, patient-centred care, shaped by Compassion and reasonable hope.”
Speaking of the news, in October 2024, St Mary’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Anthony McClaran said, “The school will not only contribute to the workforce development demands in the UK for more doctors and medical professionals, but it will also train global professionals able to work anywhere in the world. Our approach to developing the whole person during students’ time at SMU will mean medics of the future will leave this University with the technical and personal skills they need to deliver truly holistic, compassionate, patient-centred care.”
Opening a brand-new medical school is a huge achievement. Values based training is an excellent start. The values of our Catholic faith cry out and proclaim the value of each and every patient whom we serve.
We must pray for the students, the staff and the School as they navigate the many grave ethical questions which they will face.