UCLan international students set to benefit local health services in Cumbria

10 December 2019

UCLan students visit Westlakes Campus to get a flavour of local health care

Important new potential additions to frontline medical staff in Cumbria visited the county recently as a group of the University of Central Lancashire’s medical students  prepared to undertake a one year placement in the region.

The group were welcomed during their visit by staff and current Year 3 medical students at the University’s Westlakes Campus near Whitehaven. 

All of the visiting students are currently studying Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degrees with UCLan. 32 members of the group will now spend a year working at local hospitals and GP surgeries in Cumbria as part of a year-long placement in the region from September 2020.

Whilst in Cumbria, the students will undergo essential hands on training, including spending three days a week working in the local health sector assisting front line staff in local GP surgeries and hospitals.

During their visit the students spent time with current Year 3 medical students where they were able to learn first-hand about their own clinical experiences working at West Cumberland Hospital.

"The UCLan medical campus is an amazing and really prestigious facility for West Cumbria and it attracts students from all over the world."

Among the international students visiting the Westlakes Campus were those from countries including Nigeria, Egypt, Angola, Iraq, UAE, Malaysia, Kenya, Tanzania, India, Mauritius, Thailand, China and South Korea.

Nneka Oghengvuna Audu-Ohwanborua, from Nigeria, will be one of the students beginning her placement at the Westlakes Centre from next September, She said of her visit to the  Westlakes and Cumbria: “I really like the local environment in Cumbria  and I really feel the surroundings will help with my learning there.

Patrick Takla, from, Canada, another member of the visiting group who will start his placement in Cumbria next September, said: “The Cumbria scenery during our visit was breathtaking and the facilities at Westlakes are really outstanding. I’m really looking forward to completing my training and working in the local community there.”

Fellow placement student Sherwin Victor, also from Canada, said: “Cumbria is a great environment and a great community to train in. Both the facilities at Westlakes and in the local area are excellent so I am really looking forward to spending my time there.”

Local business merchant Gerard Richardson MBE, who helped to welcome the students during their visit, said: “The UCLan medical campus is an amazing and really prestigious facility for West Cumbria and it attracts students from all over the world. I would dearly love to see more local youngsters opting for a career in medicine and doing part of their studies here.

“For the last few years, I’ve welcomed new students to Whitehaven with an introductory tour and it’s been a real privilege to play a small part in their journey.”