Pioneering Paramedic partnership between Wrexham University and Isle of Man Ambulance Service celebrated
Date: Thursday, May 29, 2025
A unique partnership between Wrexham University and the Isle of Man Ambulance Service (IMAS) has been hailed as “pioneering” in providing opportunities for home-grown talent on the Island.
Over the past couple of years, the University and IMAS have joined together on the institution’s Paramedic Science degree to combine on-campus teaching in North Wales with clinical placements in the Isle of Man.
Following another successful programme last year, a further four places are available for the next academic year this September at Wrexham University for student paramedics from the Island. Priority for these placements will be given to any Manx students on the degree programme who wish to return home for this aspect of their tuition.
The partnership not only provides a strong clinical development opportunity for aspiring paramedics, but is also an important part of Manx Care’s drive to deliver more locally-based training opportunities for home-grown talent.
Rebecca Stephens (pictured), who is from Douglas in the Isle of Man, has been accepted onto the degree programme, which gets underway in September.
She said: “I feel extremely fortunate that I will be able to pursue my ambition of becoming a paramedic and get to study and experience what Wales has to offer but then I will be able to complete my placements at home on the Island. It really is the best of both worlds.
“I’m very much looking forward to getting started in September – and would encourage other aspiring paramedics living on the Island to consider this pioneering route at Wrexham, as there are a huge number of benefits to studying here.
“Wrexham has so much going for it – it’s got plenty going on but also has good transport links as it’s close to some of the UK’s biggest cities, so it’s very accessible. It’s also got a similar feel to the Island – due to it being semi-rural, so it has that friendly, community feel to it.”
Daniel Finnerty, Senior Lecturer in Paramedic Science at Wrexham University, said: “We are delighted that our partnership with the Isle of Man Ambulance Service continues to go from strength to strength, and that our students are seeing the benefits of this option
“Once again, we are pleased to be able to offer four aspiring Manx paramedics this special opportunity to study a Health and Care Professions Council-approved Paramedic Science degree, while enjoying the convenience of completing their clinical placements closer to home.
“This continued partnership with Manx Care and the Isle of Man Ambulance Service is one that we at the University are extremely proud of as both organisations’ values align with ours in providing opportunities, while supporting local communities.”
Will Bellamy, Head of Isle of Man Ambulance Service, added: “We are extremely pleased to once again collaborate with Wrexham University, allowing students to learn both on and off-Island, experiencing two different demographics.
“This mutual agreement reinforces our commitment to providing opportunities closer to home for our Manx students. It is vital that we nurture and encourage our future paramedics, as they put the community at the heart of everything that they do.”
The University is also offering a discounted rate for its accommodation within students' first year of study.
- Further information about the course can be found here: https://wrexham.ac.uk/isle-of-man-paramedic-placements/