Published on: 10th May 2019

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One of our experienced consultant psychiatrists has played a key role in developing a brand new portfolio of postgraduate medical degrees to help the local NHS attract and retain the very best doctors.

Dr Nihal Fernando (pictured) is also our director of medical education and deputy medical director.

He has worked with colleagues from across the NHS in Greater Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University on this exciting new development, known as Postgraduate Medicine at Manchester Met.

It has been launched in response to the current challenges of attracting and retaining highly qualified doctors in the NHS. Official figures show that the NHS in England is currently short of 10,000 doctors, with the number expected to grow.

By offering high quality and robust professional development opportunities, it is hoped that the very best doctors will choose to come and work for the NHS in Greater Manchester and remain here – rather than moving away or opting for other career paths.

A range of Masters and PhD degrees are available and span a wide range of medicine, including mental health (psychiatry), long-term conditions, urgent and emergency care, sport and exercise, primary care and more.

All degrees have been based on in-depth feedback to make sure they meet the needs of doctors and patients.

Dr Nihal Fernando said: "I’m passionate about providing current and future doctors with robust and high quality opportunities that allow them to grow and develop in their career.

"This postgraduate medicine portfolio aims to provide a supportive education pathway for middle grade doctors. It will be particularly beneficial to those who have been out of training for a while, or who have moved to the UK from abroad.

"I’m really pleased to have supported such a positive development that will help to retain and recruit the very best doctors in the NHS and make sure patients receive the very best care – which is why we all come to work."

Click here to read more on Manchester Metropolitan University’s website.