A PROGRAMME which encourages school-age children to go on to study medicine at university is proving to have a positive impact in North Wales. 

As part of The Seren Medics programme, medical professionals at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd and Ysbyty Gwynedd work with Year 12 and 13 pupils from state schools to help them with their medicine and dentistry university applications.

The initiative, which started in 2016, has led to hundreds of students from North Wales successfully applying to study dentistry or medicine at university.

The programme has returned to face-to-face learning this year. In 2019, the last school year before the pandemic, 100 per cent of students who completed the programme received an offer to study medicine at university.

This year, 40 Year 12 students have enrolled in the programme at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd. The programme has also been expanded to Flintshire and Gwynedd, with a programme for prospective dentistry students now delivered across North Wales too.

Eluned Morgan, minister for health and Social Services, said: "It’s brilliant that clinicians are passing on their knowledge and passion for medicine on to young local people.

“This is a fantastic example of how clinical staff can work with the local community to share their expertise with young people, many of whom I hope will go on to practice in north Wales. I’m also looking forward to the Seren Medics programme working with other health boards across Wales.

“I would like to thank all of the volunteers, staff and patients for giving their time to inspire the medics of the future.”

Young people on the scheme attend up to 15 sessions per year, plus a week of work experience, designed to support them with their applications. The activities include group work, lectures, mock tests and interview practice.

Several dozen volunteers give their time to support the programme, including consultants, medical students and administration staff.

Dr Dan Menzies, a respiratory consultant at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, said: “The scheme has been going since 2016-17, when my colleagues and I were keen to support local children who wanted a career in medicine. We realised there was a gap between the opportunities for children attending private schools and local comprehensives and we saw this programme as a way of closing the gap.

“This programme is delivered by our junior doctors out of goodwill and altruism - we have senior doctors helping junior doctors, together helping the doctors of the future.

“It’s fantastic to see the young people blossom and we really want them to achieve all they are capable of.”

Seren is a Welsh Government initiative.

About 22,000 learners in years eight to 13 are currently participating in Seren. In 2022, half of all participants went on to study a science, technology, engineering or mathematics, or ‘STEM’ subject at university.

Jeremy Miles, minister for Education and Welsh Language, said: “Seren is a fantastic scheme which has had tremendous success in helping our brightest young people get into some of the best universities in the world.

“This is a great example of how our Seren programme is not only helping young learners flourish, it’s providing a real benefit for local communities by helping to nurture the doctors and dentists of the future.

“We will always need highly skilled medical professionals and this is a great way to help our brightest learners get onto the best degree programmes and into rewarding careers in medicine.”