The first two professors have been appointed to spearhead a new medical education centre in west Cumbria.

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has appointed primary care specialist John Howarth and gastroenterology consultant Janusz Jankowski to lead its local teaching and research.

A former Cockermouth GP, Professor Howarth is well-known in the area, currently working as deputy chief executive at the Cumbria Partnership NHS Trust.

Professor Jankowski is an expert in reflux esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus, acute medicine and clinical trials, as well cancer prevention and health promotion. He will also work as a consultant at West Cumberland Hospital.

The doctors are part of the UCLan School of Medicine, based at the West

Cumberland Medical Education Centre (WCMEC) at the university’s Westlakes Campus.

The WCMEC is a collaboration between the university, North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, NHS Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and the Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

It will offer opportunities to deliver innovative improvements in remote and rural healthcare and train the workforce of the future.