THE region's public health chief today called on the Government to boost medical teaching and training.

Professor Dr John Ashton, North West Regional Director of Public Health, is backing calls to the Department of Health asking for foundations to be put in place for improvement in doctor and dentist numbers.

The North West has a lack of both doctors and dentists, which plays a part in the area's poor health records.

But Professor Ashton said: "Since the NHS was established we have never produced enough doctors to provide for the healthcare needs of the country.

"Instead, we have always relied on topping up with health professionals from other countries, many of which can not afford to lose them.

"The North West of England in particular has always been a net importer of doctors and we don't train enough of our own."

He is backing a joint bid to the Department of Health by the Universities of Liverpool and Lancaster, St Martin's College, Lancaster, and the University of Central Lancashire in Preston, for the recruitment of 50 additional medical students a year.

He added: "The recruitment of 50 medical students would at least be a step in the right direction."