DOCTORS of the future are being helped by Gwent’s health board to prepare for a career in medicine.

Funding has been provided by the 12 GP clusters in the area - known as Neighbourhood Care Networks (NCNs) - to support sixth formers who want to study medicine to navigate the application process to universities.

A preparatory course for students in Gwent is being provided in partnership with Mediprep UK, an organisation that seeks to help students through the application process.

Normally, students wishing to take a MediPrep course would have to travel to either Manchester or London.

They would also have to pay for tutoring, travel and accommodation.

But the scheme set up by Aneurin Bevan University Health Board through its NCNs means that local students can access the course free of charge in Gwent.

And due to its success this year, NCNs in Gwent have agreed to fund another set of students for 2018/19.

The initiative is part of a wider drive by the health board to recruit more GPs and associated health professionals, to help provide the area with sustainable primary care services.

Funding has also been provided for Gwent schools to buy medical and healthcare books and resources for their libraries, with the aim of helping students to understand professional roles and career options.

“There is evidence that there are reducing numbers of Welsh students accessing medicine as a career,” said Dr Paul Buss, the health board’s medical director.

“We hope this investment will result in more local students completing medical training and ending up working in our communities in Gwent.”

There are 25 sixth form education providers in Gwent, and 20 sent students on the MediPrep programme. In total, 43 students attended.

Earlier in the year, the first MediPrep session was held with students in Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni, in Fleur-de-Lys near Blackwood.

Evaluation from the day identified that 95 per cent of the students who were interested would not have taken up the programme personally if it had not been organised and funded through the health board.

They also considered that the event was informative and empowering.

And they felt more knowledgeable and confident in applying to universities for medical degree courses.

The scheme will continue to engage with and support the students through to what is hoped will be an offer of a place at university.