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UCLan West Cumberland Medical Education Centre launches new course to prepare students for medical school
A new era of medical education has begun in West Cumbria as the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) launches a foundation course designed to prepare local and international students for a career in medicine.
A new undergraduate foundation course in medical sciences at UCLan’s West Cumberland Medical Education Centre (WCMEC) will give future medical students the chance to gain further qualifications ready to apply for medical school. Initially open to international students, from September 2017 the course will be extended to UK students offering the opportunity to enhance their qualifications before applying for a degree in medicine or other healthcare professions.
The centre, which combines academic facilities at UCLan’s Westlakes Campus and neighbouring clinical facilities at the West Cumberland Hospital, already works to improve the region’s healthcare with West Cumbria’s clinical workforce training at the facility and senior clinicians and academics based at the site bringing funded and research posts to the area. UCLan’s Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students will also take placements at West Cumbria Hospital.
"The programmes prepare students to gain access into medicine, physician associate and medical science degrees. We use state-of-the-art facilities and equipment to prepare our students for their future roles and studies."
Dr Temba Mudariki, Lecturer in Medical Sciences, said: “West Cumberland Medical Education Centre promises to become the leading centre in the region to provide a good foundation for future healthcare professionals who wish to join medical school.
“The programmes prepare students to gain access into medicine, physician associate and medical science degrees. We use state-of-the-art facilities and equipment to prepare our students for their future roles and studies. I am delighted to be part of the team involved in this transformation of the local area.”
The foundation students will also undertake voluntary work in the local community by working in caring professions as part of their course.
Student Hritik Nautiyal said: “UCLan has been very welcoming to us. The thought of studying in a different country was daunting at first but the UCLan staff and the beautiful surroundings of West Cumbria make it look like it’s going to be a pleasant task ahead.”
"The thought of studying in a different country was daunting at first but the UCLan staff and the beautiful surroundings of West Cumbria make it look like it’s going to be a pleasant task ahead."
Alongside the new course, the WCMEC will run a new master's course in hospitalist medicine from September. New staff, including a Professor of Medicine, are also being brought in as further investment into West Cumbria’s healthcare provision.
The WCMEC is a collaboration between the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and NHS Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group.