AN extra 90 doctors a year will be trained at the University of York under plans to expand the number of places for medical students in England.

The Government is hoping to address the shortage of doctors, in particular GPs and psychiatrists, by creating 1,500 more spaces at medical schools by 2020.

From 2019 there will be 220 spots available for students at Hull York Medical School.

Professor Una Macleod, dean of the medical school, said: Although a young school our impact is already being felt, with our first graduates now working as GPs and consultants within the region. Expansion will enable us to build on this success – training more doctors who are equipped to respond to challenges within the healthcare sector and to deliver high-standards of care to people within our region and beyond.”

The organisation will also encourage young people from different backgrounds to consider a career in medicine in a bid to boost social mobility. The medical school will aim to recruit more students from North Yorkshire and will "significantly" grow its Academy of Primary Care to boost research.

Professor Koen Lamberts, vice chancellor of the University of York, said: “The expansion of the school will help us to produce more doctors who are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to respond to challenges within healthcare and to transform patient care.

“Through our strong relationships with our NHS partners we are able translate significant research and teaching into real benefits for society – improving diagnosis, treatment and outcomes for large numbers of patients.”