A new medical school which will take bold steps to tackle the chronic shortage of doctors in Cumbria has opened to students for the first time.

The Pears Cumbria School of Medicine (PCSM) has been established through a first-of-its-kind collaboration between Imperial College London and the University of Cumbria, with philanthropic support from the Pears Foundation.

Opening on Tuesday, August 26, PCSM aims to recruit, train and retain doctors in Cumbria for Cumbria.

Addressing the NHS workforce challenges

For years, Cumbria has faced critical health inequalities, with staffing levels across the care pathway significantly below national averages.

Life expectancy varies by almost 20 years between the poorest and wealthiest wards in the county and 68 percent of adults are overweight or obese.

Hospital admissions linked to alcohol are significantly higher than national averages, with rates of 650 per 100,000 people in Cumbria compared to 571 nationally. 

“The figures show just how Cumbria needs doctors who are trained with an understanding of the unique challenges our communities face,” said Professor Mary Morrell, Head of the Pears Cumbria School of Medicine.

“PCSM is taking a bold new approach; it has a regional focus and a bespoke curriculum, focused on prevention and innovation.

“As the School develops, it will target the use large data models and AI to prepare students for practice using digital technology.

“We are proud to be working alongside our clinical colleagues to bring meaningful change to the people of Cumbria.”

This strategic partnership unites Imperial’s world class research and medical education expertise with the University of Cumbria’s longstanding history of training healthcare professionals for the NHS.

With philanthropic investment from the Pears Foundation, PCSM reflects a shared commitment to long-term investment in the future of the NHS, and to improving access to medicine in Cumbria.

Professor Brian Webster Henderson OBE, Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Cumbria said: “The creation of the Pears Cumbria School of Medicine represents a transformative moment for Cumbria.

“It exemplifies our commitment to place-based education and to addressing the real-world challenges faced by our communities.

“We are proud to be working with Imperial College London, the Pears Foundation and our partners to deliver a medical school that will change lives and improve health outcomes across the region.”

Professor Martin Lupton, Vice Dean (Education) for the Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College London added: “Our unique partnership reinforces Imperial’s commitment to our Science for Humanity strategy which emphasises enabling talent, interdisciplinary collaboration and addressing societal challenges.

“It is bringing world-class education in Medicine to where it can make the greatest difference. We are proud to support a new model that not only trains excellent doctors but also strengthens the communities they serve.”

The Pears Foundation is known for its long-term philanthropic investments in education and health, supporting initiatives that deliver deep community impact and systemic change.

Sir Trevor Pears, Executive Chair at the Pears Foundation said: “It is one of the great advantages of being a family foundation that we can take the long view and make long-term investments in initiatives that we believe will have meaningful impact.

“The Pears Cumbria School of Medicine is a great example of this. We believe it will put Cumbria in the vanguard of the way that this country thinks about the training and recruitment of doctors, whilst ensuring they are placed where they are most needed.

“I feel incredibly strongly that this is nothing less than Cumbria deserves.”

National Significance, Local Roots

The Pears Cumbria School of Medicine will be based at the University of Cumbria’s historic Fusehill Street campus in Carlisle.

Originally established as a workhouse in 1864, the site has a long-standing legacy of service to the community.

During the First World War, the buildings were repurposed as a hospital for wounded personnel, marking the beginning of its role in medical care.

From 1968 to 2000, it served as the City Maternity Hospital, meaning many local residents and staff members were born on the very grounds where future doctors will now be trained.

This rich history of care and community makes Fusehill Street a fitting home for the new medical school.

The Pears Cumbria School of Medicine is a potential blueprint for other regions.

By expanding medical training opportunities in the UK and delivering a bespoke programme aligned to the NHS ten-year plan, it offers a scalable model for other parts of the UK grappling with medical recruitment and retention challenges.