ABERYSTWYTH University is one of three Welsh universities involved in a pilot scheme designed to bring young doctors to mid and north Wales.

The Community & Rural Education Route (CARER) programme has been established “in response to a critical shortfall in the number of family doctors” in rural Wales, and is led by Cardiff University in partnership with Aberystwyth and Bangor.

The programme gives Cardiff medical students the opportunity to have a year of their education delivered in GP practices in rural settings and will see seven students placed in Aberystwyth from this month.

They will complete their third year in the surrounding area before returning to Cardiff to finish their degrees.

During their time at Aberystwyth, the medical students will have use of the University’s study and recreational facilities, along with its student support services.

Prof Elizabeth Treasure, vice-chancellor of Aberystwyth University, said: “We are delighted to welcome the first cohort of Cardiff University medical students to Aberystwyth and to make available to them the excellent study, support and recreational facilities we have to offer. From experience, we know that medical students tend to want to continue working near to where they study.

“By offering this opportunity to study in mid and west Wales, we very much hope they will also see a professional future here, and in so doing help address the shortage of healthcare professionals working in the region.”

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