Meeting of the Parliament 12 March 2026 [Draft]
I thank Martin Whitfield for bringing the debate to the chamber, and I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the recognition of the 300th anniversary of formal medical teaching at the University of Edinburgh medical school.
Three centuries of medical education is an extraordinary milestone. Over that time, the school has built a reputation that stretches far beyond Scotland. Its graduates have helped to shape modern medicine, contributed to global research and improved the health of communities across the world. For Scotland, the impact has been profound. The medical school has played a central role in establishing Edinburgh as a global centre for medical research, innovation and education, which has helped to strengthen Scotland’s reputation as a leader in the life sciences sector.
The relationship between the university and NHS Lothian also demonstrates how important the partnership between education and front-line healthcare is. Many of the doctors, researchers and healthcare professionals who study in Edinburgh go on to serve communities across Lothian and beyond, including my constituency of East Lothian. That partnership helps to ensure that the knowledge and innovation that are developed in our universities translate directly into better care for patients.
Anniversaries such as this are an opportunity not only to celebrate the past but to reflect honestly on the journey that has brought us here and the responsibilities that we carry into the future. During women’s history month, it is particularly fitting to recognise the role of women in shaping the story of medical education in Edinburgh. As Martin Whitfield mentioned, in 1869, a group of pioneering women now known as the Edinburgh seven enrolled to study medicine at the university. Led by Sophia Jex-Blake, they were the first women in Britain to be admitted to a university medical programme. Their determination opened doors that had previously been closed but their journey was far from straightforward. They faced hostility and institutional resistance and were ultimately denied the degrees that they had worked hard to earn. It took almost 150 years before the University of Edinburgh formally recognised their achievements and awarded those degrees posthumously.
Their story reminds us that progress in medicine—and, indeed, in society—often comes because individuals challenge barriers and expand opportunity for those who follow. Today, women make up a majority of medical students across the United Kingdom and play leading roles in clinical practice, research and medical leadership. In that progress, they stand on the shoulders of those early pioneers.
As we mark this 300-year milestone, it is right that we celebrate the achievements of the University of Edinburgh’s medical school—its contribution to science, to innovation and to improving health in Scotland and around the world. The next chapter of medical education will be shaped by the challenges that we face today: supporting the workforce of NHS Scotland, responding to an ageing population and harnessing advances in technology and medical research. Institutions such as Edinburgh will continue to play a crucial role in training the next generation of clinicians, driving innovation and strengthening Scotland’s internationally recognised life sciences sector.
For those reasons, I am pleased to recognise this important anniversary and wish the staff, students and researchers of the University of Edinburgh every success as they shape the future of medical education and discovery in the centuries ahead.