Parents Information
THE EAST MIDLANDS CONFERENCE CENTRE
PROGRAMME FOR PARENTS ATTENDING THE EXHIBITION
Click here for Parent Programme
Medlink recognises the important role played by both parents and schools in encouraging, supporting and advising young people who are considering a career in medicine. Whilst schools are experienced and versed in the procedures required of them, parents are usually facing the daunting prospect of UCAS and medical school application for the first time.
For those parents who wish to be more informed and in a stronger position to support their son or daughter in making a successful application to medical school, Medlink is committed to providing the essential information, support and contacts required.
The Medlink University Experience
Dear Parent or Guardian,
We are delighted that your son or daughter will be attending Medlink.
We recognise, however, the importance of facilitating parents' participation in the conference, particularly as many of the delegates are preparing to leave home for university and may not previously have had the opportunity to stay in student accommodation.
This information will, we hope, reassure parents that Medlink provides as secure an environment as possible and the extensive Medlink booklet, sent to all delegates after booking, provides a source of important phone numbers and contacts in the event that a young person has to be reached urgently. If you have further queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact one of our Conference Secretaries on 01509 233133 or email us on support@medlink-uk.info.
The Conference and its Aims
Competition for medical school places is very keen. Medlink seeks to assist delegates in making an application to medical school and enhancing their performance in the selection process. Students will be challenged by the conference programme to examine their motivation for wanting to study medicine, which will be questioned by any medical school interview. They will hear from Medical School Deans, medical students and recently qualified doctors about getting on to, and surviving, a medical degree course. The programme of lectures, many from practising professionals, and practical sessions will further strengthen the prospective medical student's application.
All conference sessions and accommodation are on the University of Nottingham Main Campus, so there is no need for delegates to leave the campus. Medlink's aim is to provide delegates with a brief sample of university life, which, in addition to the valuable contacts and information provided by the conference, can provide them with a useful insight into what they can expect in their first term at university. The main difference is that our lecture programmes continue well into the evening in order to pack as much information and experience as possible into the limited time of the conference. Also, whilst the delegates are encouraged to socialise with each other, we do not permit antisocial behaviour. We have found that providing reasonable guidelines for the young people enhances rather than detracts from their overall enjoyment of the conference. Please view our Code of Conduct at the bottom of this webpage.
Who may attend Medlink?
The Conference programme is aimed at Year 12 & 13 students provided that they are aged 16 or over at the time of the conference. Applications may be made through schools or colleges but independent bookings are also welcomed and those attending on their own are helped and encouraged to make friends quickly. Occasionally students over 21 years of age will attend, but will be accommodated separately.
Over many years we have successfully provided places for many thousands of students through Medlink, and the vast majority have found the experience stimulating and rewarding. The success that we have achieved is largely due to the calibre of the young people who have attended. In the main they have been intelligent, mature, responsible and motivated, which are the qualities necessary not only to gain the most from the conference, but also to succeed in a career in medicine. We would stress that Medlink is only suitable for the mature and responsible; with our aim of providing a university atmosphere, we do not provide the same degree of supervision that would be found on a typical school trip. For example, attendance at any session is not enforced, but, as at university, the responsibility is with the delegate. Within these limits we are able to provide a safe and structured environment for young people to gain the most from the opportunities provided by the conference.
Security and Insurance
In addition to the host university's security staff, there will be a resident conference manager, and in each Hall of Residence there will be Medlink staff who may be called upon case of illness or other emergency. We carry employers' and public liability insurance for all events, but must point out that cover does not include delegates' property and we recommend valuables are never left unattended.
Students with restricted mobility etc. (temporary or permanent) are welcome, but we do ask for advance notice so that appropriate accommodation can be reserved. Similarly, please inform us in advance of any medical condition that could compromise your son or daughter's safety at the conference, such as asthma or allergies. If their school has made the booking, please do not assume that they have informed us and call or email us at specialneeds@medlink-uk.info.
Should any delegate be taken ill during Medlink, the University Medical Centre is open to conference delegates and there is a nearby NHS walk-in centre and Casualty Dept.
For more detailed information you can also view our risk assessment guidelines for teachers by clicking on the Teachers Menu Tab
Emergency numbers and contacts
Non-urgent messages for delegates may be left on our Conference number: 01509233133.
Outside office hours there will be an answerphone service for messages which will be passed on during the following morning. This service will also give an emergency number on which you can reach our Conference Manager directly. Please only use this for very urgent messages. Please note that we do stress to those delegates who travelled independently to the conference that they must notify home of their safe arrival.
Enquiries
Our conference help-line 01509 233133 is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. If there are any questions that have not been answered, we will do our best to answer them for you, or email us at support@medlink-uk.info. We welcome all enquiries so please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries.
Whilst Medlink provides numerous sources of information and opportunities for parents across this website, Medlink Booklet and the conference itself, for your convenience the core areas are summarised below:
MEDLINK ONLINE
- All Medlink related material (including the Medlink brochure) will be available to download from this site as soon as they become available.
- The Medlink Team welcome your questions on the Medlink Notice Board. [Please note that this service continues after the conference for as long as you wish to use it.]
- Visit our latest news section which will keep students and parents informed of Medlink breaking news.
- All areas of Medlink Online are open to parents and we will be delighted to respond to any questions that you may have.
THE MEDLINK BOOKLET
- The definitive guide to Medlink, containing some 24 pages of information with a special parents section..
- Essential phone numbers and email addresses.
- Maps, travel information full accommodation details.
- Additional support information.
- Booking forms and details of all Medlink optional sessions, including provisional timetable of the Oxbridge optional session.
- Full details of the Medlink Exhibition including provisional program.
MEDLINK CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION
- A truly unique and not to be missed opportunity to meet face to face with admissions tutors from most of the UK medical schools, and place your concerns and questions directly to them.
- Consider the possibility of your son or daughter reading medicine overseas by talking directly with admission officers from foreign medical schools.
- From the Royal Colleges of Medicine and the British Medical Association (BMA) through to representatives of the armed forces, learn more about the opportunities open to your son or daughter.
- Attend a series of free seminars that range through finance, admissions procedures from a medical school dean, to the opportunity for you to talk directly with current medical students from across the UK (for a full list please see the Medlink booklet).
- A chance to meet with other parents in a similar position, to share information and pool resources.
- Meet with the Medlink Team who will be delighted to explain how Medlink can support your son or daughter beyond the conference.
OXBRIDGE
CODE OF CONDUCT
- Make sure you have read the Code of Conduct by clicking on the Menu 'Legal Stuff' link or on the link in the footer. It is a condition of acceptance onto the conference that all delegates agree to abide by the Code of Conduct, which is designed to ensure that all delegates have a safe and enjoyable conference.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- Make sure you have read the Terms and Conditions by clicking on the Menu 'Legal Stuff' link or on the link in the footer. It is a condition of acceptance onto the conference that you accept the Terms and Conditions when booking. The Terms and Conditions includes, amongst other things, essential information about Fees, Cancellations and the suitabilty of the course for students.
