The MedSIN National Conference 2004 is set to prepare students with the political realities of working in the health care profession, by bringing a diversity of speakers to Glasgow.

The conference to be held this weekend, 23 and 24 October, will discuss how decisions made in the UK impact upon health at a global and local level, and, crucially, how students can influence these decisions.

Speakers include: Dr Julian Lob Levyt, Chief Human Development advisor to the UK government Department for International Development; David Davidson MSP, Conservative Health & Community Care Spokesman in the Scottish Parliament; David Hunter, Professor of Health Policy and management, School for Health, University of Durham; Tommy Sheridan MP, National Convenor of Scottish Socialist Party; and Professor Graham Watt, Professor of General Practice and Primary Care at the University of Glasgow.

The world in which current health care students can look forward to working in is one of extreme health inequalities, both globally and within the UK. Statistics about such inequalities can become so familiar as to lose their meaning, but we should not forget the shocking reality that they describe.

Sadly, health inequality is a very local and resonant issue in Scotland and in Glasgow. Seven of the ten 'worst health' parliamentary constituencies in the UK are in Glasgow. However this shocking reality has stimulated innovation on the part of local actors in health and resulted in a distinctive policy approach to health in Scotland. Ministers of the Scottish Parliament are demanding 'long-term' and 'radical' solutions. There are lessons to be learnt from the Scottish experience of facing up to health inequalities.

Conference delegates, as future health care workers, will deal with the effects of health inequalities regardless of their chosen career. The Glasgow MedSIN group hope that this conference will encourage delegates to challenge the current trend of student apathy and become more aware of decisions taken at a national level which impact on health, and influence them for the better by way of democratic processes.

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

The conference will take place 9am until 5pm Saturday and Sunday at Western Infirmary Lecture Theatre (WILT), just behind the Western Infirmary General. Further details and registration form can be found at www.medsinconference2004.org.uk.

For more details please contact Mike Findlay in the University Press Office, or conference organiser Lalla McCormack on 07793 037 708.

MedSIN, one of the largest and most internationally recognised student bodies in the UK, is an independent organisation that raises awareness and action for humanitarian and health issues locally and internationally. With members from all health care professional courses, MedSIN now represents all 32 medical schools in the UK, and is the UK representative for the International Federation of Medical Student associations (IFMSA). MedSIN has close links with UK civil society, including Medact, Water Aid, Save the Children and the Anthony Nolan Trust, and, through the IFMSA, has representation at the World Health Assembly.

First published: 20 October 2004