Call to expose trainees to patient care
BMA Cymru Wales has said it would like to see more students and trainee doctors exposed to patient care in north Wales, after a call from Plaid Cymru to establish a training campus at Bangor University.
Plaid Cymru has claimed up to 40 student doctors a year could be trained in north Wales if Bangor worked with Cardiff and Swansea medical schools to establish a joint campus.
Health secretary Vaughan Gething rejected calls to establish a new medical school in the area earlier this year.
BMA Welsh council chair David Bailey said: 'We continue to hear from our members of the daily pressures they face within their roles in the Welsh NHS, and we are well aware that the recruitment and retention of doctors is a key challenge.
'BMA Cymru Wales is keen to continue the conversation on how to best tackle these ongoing challenges and welcomes new and innovative solutions to retain doctors in Wales.
'We would like to see more students and trainee doctors exposed to patient care in north Wales, so they can be exposed to the benefits a career there may bring.
'The best way to achieve this is a matter for wider discussion and the practicalities, including funding and cooperation between medical campuses, need to be explored. BMA Cymru Wales is keen to remain a part of this conversation.'
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: 'In July, the health secretary issued a statement about medical education and training in north Wales.
'That statement recognised the need for increased medical education to take place in the area.
'We confirmed our view that a collaborative approach based upon Cardiff, Swansea and Bangor Universities working more closely together can deliver this increase and that all parties have confirmed a willingness to progress this work.
'We gave a commitment to update assembly members in the autumn term and this remains the position.'
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