Medical education in north Wales

Bangor University has welcomed the Welsh Government’s announcement that it plans to expand medical education across Wales, which includes new opportunities to study in north Wales.

From 2019, through collaboration between Cardiff and Bangor Universities, students will be able to undertake the entirety of their undergraduate medical degree in north Wales.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor John G. Hughes said: “This is a tremendously exciting development, and we very much look forward to working with both Cardiff University and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in order to educate many more doctors in north Wales over the coming years.

“This development, starting in 2019, will allow us to rapidly expand the medical education currently provided at Bangor University and introduce more medical students to north Wales, which will no doubt be of benefit to patients and the public in the region.

“I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in bringing this to fruition. A lot of hard work now lies ahead, and I know that everyone will be doing all they can to make this a great success.”

Health Secretary Vaughan Gething said: “I am very pleased to announce that students will be now be able to start their journey of becoming  doctors by studying medicine in north Wales. This is the result of work undertaken by Welsh universities working together to address the challenges we face in sustaining our medical workforce in Wales.”

This development will help the students make connections and plan for their postgraduate training within the same area. Under the new plans, students will have longer placements in north Wales and a greater emphasis on working within the community.

Publication date: 9 July 2018