Lecturers appointed under the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Academic Staffing Scheme will teach and support prospective students who want to follow part of their degree course through the medium of Welsh.

Dr Heledd Iago (pictured), who was appointed Medical Sciences Lecturer in the College of Medicine in 2013, is responsible for ensuring that students develop clinical and professional skills in Welsh and enable them to discuss elements of their work in Welsh. There will be strong emphasis on practical and research skills, and each student will be supported by a personal tutor and gain from being on work placement with Welsh medium doctors and patients.

The Graduate Entry Medicine course at Swansea University already provides opportunities for Welsh medium students. Since September 2014, students have been able to request clinical work placements where they can speak Welsh with staff and/ or patients; this includes the period at a general practice as well as hospitals. There is an increasing demand for bilingual workers in health care across Wales and doctors who can provide treatment and care for patients through the medium of Welsh. 

Dr Heledd Iago, who will lead the Graduates Entry Welsh medium provision at Swansea University under the auspices of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, said: ‘‘It’s vital that our medical students realise that Welsh is an additional skill that can be used to provide high quality service to patients in Wales. Welsh medium clinical experiences will help our students gain confidence to treat patients and deal with colleagues in both Welsh and English.’’

The courses will be eligible for the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Incentive Scholarship and those who want to study part of Medicine through Welsh will be entitled to apply for funding of £1,500 by 8 May 2015.