Lancaster University has graduated 150 medical students this year, which is the largest ever number since the Medical School was established in 2006.

In addition, a third of these are staying in the north-west for postgraduate training which enables local hospitals to fill empty posts after struggling to recruit enough trainees in previous years.

The Head of Lancaster Medical School Professor Marina Anderson 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.”

Director of the Year Five MBChB Dr Emily Bate 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.”

Jack Tallentire - who was awarded the Chancellor’s Medal for exceptional merit at the graduation ceremony - is one of the new doctors staying in the north-west. He is originally from Seascale in Cumbria and went to Millom secondary school and sixth form.

“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 said Lancaster Medical School was always his first choice.

“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 said: “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.”

Another medical graduate is Michelle Ngugi who is returning to Kent for her training, where she plans to specialise as an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist.

She said: "I have truly loved being a part of Lancaster Medical School, and the wider university over all these years. The style of learning inspired me to remain personally motivated and inquisitive which I greatly appreciated. Getting early, meaningful patient contact from second year meant I have seen sustained progress in my clinical judgment which was beneficial for my growth as a doctor.”

Lancaster Medical School initially graduated 31 doctors in 2011 based on a curriculum delivered in conjunction with the University of Liverpool. In 2013, Lancaster Medical School was approved to independently award its own medical degrees.