THE next generation of Wales’ doctors have been prescribed to help with healthcare concerns on the Llyn Peninsula.

Patients at Meddygfa Rhydbach, Botwnnog, will soon have access to some of the country’s brightest young minds studying medicine.

Currently, there are over 5,000 patients on the books at Rhydbach who are attended to by three doctors – Dr Smits, Dr Morris and Dr Haque – and a raft of nurses and assistants.

However, thanks to a new scheme, patients will now be able to see medical students in the final year of their studies in order to introduce the soon-to-be doctors to frontline medicine and to try and resolve the ever-worsening problems surrounding GP recruitment in the region.

There is no obligation to be treated by a medical student and patients can request a fully qualified GP if they so desire.

Dr Zameel Haque has been in Botwnnog since 2009 and was approved as a GP tutor in October 2017, which enables the practice to take Cardiff medical students, part of a new scheme by the Welsh Government.

“There will be two students starting on 10 September for eight weeks, then another two for eight weeks,” he explained.

“We are planning for it to be ongoing so there will be four students every year from now on.

“They will be fifth-year students – so less than 12 months away from qualification.

“They will spend time shadowing district nurses, practice nurses and dispensers as well as GPs and, although they will see some patients themselves, every patient will be reviewed by the GP afterwards.

“I think it will be a great privilege to teach the next generation of doctors. I think we will find it immensely rewarding.”

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