Welsh first minister Eluned Morgan, along with health secretary Jeremy Miles, have officially launched the North Wales Medical School in a bid to fortify the future of NHS Wales.
The conception of the North Wales Medical School came in 2020 and last January the Welsh Government announced it would be funding up to 140 medical student places per year at the school. The school is a collaboration between:
NHS workforce
The first cohort of 80 students have enrolled to the school for 2024/25, with this number expected to nearly double to 140 from 2029/30 onwards. Consisting of a mix of school leavers and graduate entrants, the 80 will be the first to have all their medical training delivered in North Wales.
Last year, Professor Edmund Burke, vice-chancellor at Bangor University, described the school as a “real step forward”. Today, he describes the school as a “key milestone” in the history of Bangor University which celebrates its 140th anniversary this year after launching in 1884 with 58 students.
“Together with our partners, we are shaping a healthier future by training the next generation of healthcare professionals within our communities,” he added.
Eluned Morgan, meanwhile, has said the school will be a “game-changer” for doctor recruitment. She said: “The school will soon be providing the NHS with doctors with world-class, modern training to deliver excellent and compassionate care in our NHS for the future.”
Key targets
The North Wales Medical School is a key part of the country’s Programme for Government, with many doctors opting to practise where they train.
“It is widely recognised that doctors tend to practice close to where they train, so the aim is to encourage students to develop lifelong careers within North Wales, benefiting the local population and its communities,” explained Dyfed Edwards, chair at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
He added: “There will also be opportunities for developments in relation to research and innovation through our partnership working. This will have a positive impact on recruitment and retention as well as improving patient outcomes.”
Image credits: iStock & Welsh Govt
