COUNCIL OF HEADS OFMEDICAL SCHOOLS
Recommendations on Selection of Medical Students withDyslexia
1. Applicants to medical schools who satisfy the academiccriteria of the Medical School to which they are considering applying should beencouraged to submit a formal UCAS application.
2. Applicants are asked by the medical schools to disclose ontheir UCAS application forms if they have dyslexia and to provide evidence inthe form of an endorsed document of any examination by a Psychologist. This document should be sent, at the time ofsubmission of the UCAS form, direct to each of the medical schools to which anapplication is being made. This isimportant because universities are required by the Medical Act 1983 to ensurethat students will be fit to practise as doctors when they graduate.
3. Medical schools should consider students with dyslexia alongwith all other students, disregarding their disability at this stage. If they qualify for an interview they shouldbe called in the normal way and additional time allowed for interviewers withappropriate training to discuss with students the likely implications of thecondition on their fitness to practise medicine and to explore, for example:
the student's understanding of dyslexia,
how dyslexia affects them,
what kinds of educational aids and strategies they need, and
whether they feel dyslexia would interfere with theirstudies or work as a doctor.
4. If the applicant isrejected as a result of this part of the interview, that should be made knownto the applicant and to UCAS so that the applicant can be offered analternative choice. Students should beinformed that the advice and guidance of the University Disability SupportOfficer may be sought regarding their applications.
5. Students with dyslexia should be allowed additional time inthe written component of assessments in accordance with the usual policies ofthe University. However, there shouldbe no alternative arrangements for dyslexic students in clinical examinations. The Medical Act 1983 gives all medicalgraduates the automatic right to provisional registration by the GeneralMedical Council, and inability to undertake clinical tasks will cast seriousdoubt on the student's suitability to practise as a Pre-Registration HouseOfficer. All students must be fit topractise and must meet the standards of competence, care and conduct set by theGMC in its statement of principles on GoodMedical Practice. In particular, all doctors have a duty to protect allpatients from risk.
6. Students must be aware that if they do not disclose theirdyslexia at the time they apply to Medical School, any subsequent request forextra time in their professional examinations due to their dyslexia will bedisregarded.
[Note:Use of the term dyslexia in these recommendations should be interpreted asany dyslexic-type difficulties]