WHEN The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) began offering healthcare placements in Cumbria six years ago, there were just four students.
Now 200 students from all over the world are based at the West Cumberland Medical Education Centre on UCLan’s Westlakes Campus in Whitehaven.
As part of the rising number of students coming to west Cumbria, UCLan purchased Summergrove Halls, just outside of Whitehaven, in February 2023.
The former hotel has been redeveloped into halls of residence and currently houses 76 students on catered and self-catered packages.
There are 131 bedrooms across the three halls with a condition for 120 rooms to be occupied by students. It is hoped that all of the rooms will be filled by September.
Facilities include a restaurant and dining area, a social space with a lounge and a bar area, a quiet study space, a 24-hour launderette and a reflection room which can be used for prayer.
The accommodation is conveniently located for students with just a 10-minute walk to the Westlakes campus or the West Cumberland Hospital.
John Adediji-Johnson, who grew up in the Republic of Ireland, is completing a Master of Science in Physician Associate Practice and is living at Summergrove Halls.
He previously completed an undergraduate degree in biomedical sciences and a master’s degree in haematology and transfusion science.
He said: “I did my undergrad and master’s in London and felt like I needed a bit of a change. I applied to UCLan and I was placed in the Westlakes campus.
“This is the complete opposite end of the spectrum to London. Stuff I didn’t have the opportunity to do before, I can do now – the Lakes, the walks.
“I grew up just outside of Dublin so it’s similar – it’s rural, very close-knit. You walk past someone in the street and they remember you the next time they see you. You get to feel welcome very quickly.”
John said he is enjoying the course and being on placement at the West Cumberland Hospital.
He said: “It’s busy. We work alongside the doctors and help them come up with their plans.
“My previous degrees were different. That was a lot more isolated. My course now gives me the opportunity to work with different healthcare professionals. I get to speak to people.
“It’s a different viewpoint to healthcare that I quite enjoy. It feels a bit more rewarding now.”
Norah Alqadah, from Saudi Arabia, who is a third-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery undergraduate student, said: “I’ve been here since September. I was in Preston before that.
“Honestly, when I first got the email that I will be here, I wasn’t very pleased. Mainly because I was leaving my friends and everyone I knew for the past two years.
“But it grew on me. I like the peace and quiet, and the greenery. There are so many beautiful walks that you can take here.
“I’m in my GP placement at Keswick and during my lunch break I walk along Derwent Water and it’s beautiful.
“I look at the university’s decision to put me here and I’m glad it happened. Hospital experience here is better. It’s less staffed than Blackburn or Burnley would be, so you get more one-to-one time with the patient.
“You get more time with a consultant. It’s usually eight students to one consultant. Here it’s one-to-one, so that’s really nice.
“I personally really like Summergrove. The staff have been really wonderful. They are like family to me now.”
Hasaan Aziz, a fourth-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery undergraduate student, was born and raised in the UK but then moved to Canada. He returned to the UK to complete his medical studies.
He said: “This is my second year in Westlakes. I like the teacher-to-student ratio.
“The staff in the hospital are really welcoming. Because there are fewer students, I feel like the staff have more time to go over things.
“I wanted to stay for my final year here. I’ve had a really good time. The Cumbrian people are just nice, in general. I’m hoping to work as a foundation doctor and I would love to stay in Cumbria.
“I’m on my GP placement at Fell View in Cleator Moor, which isn’t too far from here. Living in Summergrove is very convenient. You can just walk to the hospital or walk to the campus.”
Students complete placements in GP surgeries around Cumbria as well as hospital placements in Whitehaven, Workington and Carlisle. Transport to placements from Summergrove Halls is provided by UCLan.
Angela Lynch, residences officer at Summergrove Halls, said: “We welcome the students and help them settle in.
“It’s about making sure their experience is the best it can be. We realise these students are a long way from home and family. We want to be there if they need us for anything.
“We do a calendar of events throughout the year. We’re starting to do coffee mornings and we do movie nights, pizza nights. We did a three-course formal dinner with wait-on service.”
Angela previously worked as a receptionist at the hotel and was brought over to work for UCLan as part of the sale.
She said: “It’s different. When we were a hotel, they were coach guests, businesspeople, contractors in the area, living here Monday to Friday.
“I enjoy building the relationships with the students. You get a better connection. 99 per cent of the students living at Summergrove are multicultural. It’s lovely to learn about their cultures as well.
“What I enjoy most about the role is the students. No day is alike. It’s a very varied, rewarding role. We want to be part of their journey as well and be there for them, no matter what.”
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