UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL DEGREES AT BANGOR UNIVERSITY

That this House congratulates the expansion of medical education at Bangor University to offer full undergraduate medical degrees; welcomes this expansion as currently students can only follow part of their studies in North Wales; regrets that 37 per cent of vacant medical positions in Wales are in the north, with patients currently facing long waiting times due to shortages of doctors in the area; welcomes the support of Plaid Cymru Assembly Members for Arfon and Ynys Mon, Sian Gwenllian AM and Rhun ap Iorwerth AM, in bringing this opportunity to North Wales; believes this will open up opportunities for young people who currently have to leave North Wales to qualify as doctors; hopes this will encourage doctors and medical staff training in North Wales to stay and work in the local health service; and further welcomes the collaboration between Plaid Cymru, Bangor University and Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board in their determination to achieve this goal.