North Wales Medical School connects with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Confirmation
From September 2024, Bangor University will be offering their own independent Medicine programme with the support of the Welsh Government, subject to GMC approval. Bangor University will be offering a 5-year school entry course and a 4-year graduate entry course. Cardiff University is acting as the contingency guarantor as required by the GMC. Students will be able to study most of the elements of the course in Welsh as well as in English.The new North Wales Medical School will largely follow the current Cardiff University C21 North Wales programme, adapted to meet the learning opportunitiies and needs of the mixed rural and urban areas in the region, embracing the Welsh language and local culture.The Welsh government will fund up to 140 students per annum and a there will be a gradual increase in the number of students trained until reaching a total capacity of 670 students by 2033. This will allow time to assess and evaluate the quality of teaching and student experience. The north Wales medical school will be established in a partnership between the Welsh Government, Bangor University, Cardiff University, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board GPs and primary care health providers.Purpose
A primary goal of the establishment of the medical school is to address the recruitment of medical staff in northern Wales. The numbers of general practitioners (GP) has increased slightly over Wales but attracting doctors to work in northern Wales has traditionally been a challenge. Currently there are more than 28 vacant full-time GP posts which are being filled by locum staff.