A Cumbrian student is among 50 new doctors staying in the North West after graduating from university.
Jack Tallentire, originally from Seascale, graduated from Lancaster University where he was awarded the Chancellor’s medal for exceptional merit.
The former Millom secondary school and sixth form student is one of 150 medical students graduating from Lancaster Medical School this year.
A third of the graduates are staying in the region for postgraduate training, which the university said would enable local hospitals to fill empty posts after struggling to recruit enough trainees in previous years.
Jack said: “A combination of factors, from wanting to stay in an area which I’ve really grown to like, to positive experiences at the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Trust, informed my decision to stay in Lancaster after graduation.
“I was very fortunate to be allocated to my first-choice regional NHS postgraduate medical training group, trust and hospital during the UK Foundation Programme Allocation process, and I’m looking forward to starting my post as a Foundation Year One doctor at Royal Lancaster Infirmary in August.”
He added that Lancaster Medical School was always his first choice.
He said: “Growing up in a very rural area, the campus felt like a familiar and comfortable environment to me. I also felt the amenities and connections of the city centre provided the best of both worlds.
“On top of this, I was very aware of the medical school’s reputation and high student satisfaction rates; many clinicians I have worked with during my medical placements over the years have also commented that Lancaster produces very clinically competent doctors.”
The new doctors will now begin a two-year foundation programme in a hospital with further exams if they wish to specialise.
Jack added: “In terms of my future career, I’m currently building my portfolio to apply for Internal Medicine Training during my second foundation year. If successful, I would be very keen to take up a post in the north-west.”
Professor Marina Anderson, head of Lancaster Medical School, said: “At Lancaster Medical School we are passionate about training doctors who progress to make a real difference to the health of our community.
“It is wonderful to see the Lancaster MBChB ‘Class of 2026’, who are truly representative of our population, taking their talent and dedication into our NHS.”
Dr Emily Bate, director of year five MBChB, said: “This is our largest cohort, and we are very proud of all our students, they have worked hard and we wish them the very best for their future careers.”
Lancaster Medical School was established in 2006 and initially graduated 31 doctors in 2011 based on a curriculum delivered in conjunction with the University of Liverpool.
In 2013, the school was approved to independently award its own medical degrees.
