The First Minister has officially opened the new North Wales Medical School at Bangor University.

Around 80 medical students have been taken on as part of the first direct intake, including school leavers and graduate entrants.

They'll be the first to have all of their medical training delivered in North Wales - a move described by the Welsh Government as a "game changer".

By the end of the decade, the new school will take on 140 students a year.

But the Welsh Conservatives have called on ministers to offer refunds on tuition fees to students who stay in Wales for at least five years.

First Minister, Eluned Morgan, said: "Recruiting skilled doctors is a major challenge across the UK and Europe. The medical school will be a game-changer for doctor recruitment in Wales, enabling more medical students to train in the region, which is good for our NHS, especially in North Wales."

"The North Wales Medical school marks the delivery of a key programme for government commitment for North Wales and is the culmination of five years’ hard work by the health board and the universities."

"The school will soon be providing the NHS with doctors with world-class, modern training to deliver excellent and compassionate care in our NHS for the future."

Health Secretary, Jeremy Miles, who also attended the official opening, said: "The medical school’s opening marks our continued commitment to a health service that delivers care as close to people’s homes as possible."

He added: "By choosing to study in Wales, students will benefit from access to modern training facilities, progressive healthcare education, experienced teaching staff and ongoing support from NHS Wales staff across the region."

Planning for the new medical school began in 2020, when Bangor University, Cardiff University, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) and the Welsh Government agreed to work in partnership.

Funding for up to 140 places was announced in January 2023 - with the new school expected to grow over time to graduate newly-qualified doctors to join the NHS workforce each year, creating additional pathways for students to join the medical professions.

Dyfed Edwards, BCUHB chairman, said: "The new medical school will be key to helping address the challenges of training and retaining doctors, while strengthening bilingual healthcare delivery across the region."

"It is widely recognised that doctors tend to practice close to where they train, so the aim is to encourage students to develop lifelong careers within North Wales, benefiting the local population and its communities."

“There will also be opportunities for developments in relation to research and innovation through our partnership working. This will have a positive impact on recruitment and retention as well as improving patient outcomes."

Professor Edmund Burke, vice-chancellor of Bangor University, added: "As we celebrate 140 years of Bangor University, the launch of the North Wales Medical School marks a key milestone for the university and the region."

"It reflects our commitment to outstanding education, cutting-edge research and addressing local healthcare needs. Together with our partners, we are shaping a healthier future by training the next generation of healthcare professionals within our communities."

Reacting to the opening, the Welsh Tories' shadow health minister Sam Rowlands said: "This is welcome news that will begin the process of easing the burden on a Welsh NHS that remains under immense pressure."

“Welsh Conservative longstanding calls for a North Wales medical school have been answered, but this is just the first step to ending the workforce crisis in the Welsh NHS and ending the reliance on costly agency staff."

“Simply training the doctors of the future is not enough. Labour should now adopt the Welsh Conservative plan to offer these new students their tuition fees back if they commit to work in Wales for five years after their studies.”