AN increase in the number of doctor training places which will mean more young medics working at Northallerton’s Friarage Hospital has been welcomed by Richmond MP Rishi Sunak.

Hull York Medical School has been allocated an additional 75 doctor training places as part of an extra 1,500 places across the country announced by the Government last week.

Both Hull York and the medical school at Newcastle University will place students at the Friarage as part of their training.

In a letter to the Higher Education Funding Council for England, which pays for young doctors' training, Mr Sunak said the increased student numbers would enable the local health trust to invest in doctor training at the Friarage.

That would increase the number of trainee doctors on site and, because many doctors continue working in the places where they train, potentially increase the number of qualified doctors wanting to work in Northallerton..

Mr Sunak added that local training places were vital for the future of the Friarage Hospital.