Stephen Morgan MP has welcomed the opening of a new medical school which has begun training future Portsmouth doctors, helping provide a steady flow of medics to the region.
The Portsmouth MP has long campaigned for the medical school to be opened in the city, calling in Parliament for the previous Government to back the plan, recognising the value of the asset in addressing the severe shortage of doctors in the city, currently facing the lowest average number of GPs per person in the country.
At the opening ceremony for the medical school, Mr Morgan said it was a significant step towards getting Portsmouth the doctors we desperately need.
The city MP is now keen to break down barriers for local young people to ensure they are supported to apply for places on the new programme to create a new generation of Portsmouth doctors.
The four-year graduate entry medical programme in partnership with King’s College London has now begun training over 50 future doctors this year.
Students will have the opportunity to learn in academic and clinical settings including at Portsmouth Hospitals.
Commenting, Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan said:
“From now on our city can train our future NHS workforce at a new medical school. This is a significant step towards getting Portsmouth the doctors we desperately need.
“I am now keen to ensure our local young people are encouraged and supported to apply for places at the medical school to create a new generation of Portsmouth doctors.
“I was pleased to have played my part in Parliament securing this vital asset for our city, long making the case for a medical school as a solution to getting our city the doctors we need. Congratulations to the University of Portsmouth and all involved.”
Mr Morgan has been taking tireless action to secure the new asset for Portsmouth by tabling questions in Parliament, meeting with the University to discuss proposals, visiting and liaising with local GP and NHS providers and supporting the bid by highlighting wider issues affecting access to primary care and the doctor recruitment and retention crisis.
The recent Lord Darzi Review into the NHS found that the NHS is broken but not beaten. The Labour government has committed to turning the NHS around, so it is there for you when you need it, once again.
