Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru

It is important that medical students receive high quality education supported through appropriate placements in hospitals and community based health and care settings to allow them to take their developed knowledge and skill and apply it in the clinical environment under close supervision.

Not all health settings will be able to offer an environment which meets the requirements, both in terms of supervision exposure to a variety of procedures and teaching.

Cardiff Medical School has confirmed it currently provides placements in the following:

Swansea Medical School has confirmed it does not currently provide placements in Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board or Cwm Taf University Health Board. While the medical school provides placements in Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, placements are not undertaken in the Princess of Wales Hospital or routinely in Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

Both medical schools have confirmed their intention to expand the number of locations used to provide placements.

In terms of primary care placements Cardiff Medical School has provided the following information:

Swansea Medical School has provided the following information:

I am not aware of any formal medical training arrangements between Cardiff and Swansea medical schools and clinical commissioning groups in England.

It is important to remember that universities are autonomous bodies responsible for their own student admissions.  However, we have been discussing with Cardiff and Swansea Medical Schools how they can encourage more Welsh students to choose to study in Wales and how we can overcome any barriers that might discourage them from applying.

Changes to the admissions process in both Cardiff and Swansea Medical Schools have already seen improvements in the number of Welsh domiciled students receiving offers. 

However, I recognise there is more to be done.  Part of this is ensuring young people in Wales understand the opportunities for careers in the health system, have the chance to undertake work experience in appropriate settings and are familiar with the selection processes used as part of the selection process for medical schools. It is also important that individuals have the opportunity to practice these skills and improve their performance through positive and constructive feedback. These are the areas we are working on with medical schools and key stakeholders.

We have already introduced a pilot work experience programme for young people considering persuing a medical career. We are currently considering the evaluation of this pilot.

We are also working with Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol on a programme aimed at increasing the number of Welsh speaking welsh domiciled applications, predominantly to medical schools in Wales. The programme will involve taster sessions, a residential two day course, and a master class. Activities towards the end of the programme will be tailored to equip individuals with skills to assist them in making a successful application and to prepare for interviews. The programme will also seek to enhance students’ knowledge of how the ability to communicate in Welsh can enhance employability and emphasise the importance of people in Wales receiving high quality appropriate care.