Health Minister Michelle O'Neill has pledge to work with the Ulster University and the Department for the Economy over plans to develop a new medical school in Co L'Derry.

However, Minister O'Neill confirmed there would be challenges ahead in ensuring the feasibility of the school.

Sinn Féín MLA Caoimhe Archibald welcomed the response from Minister O'Neill.

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She said: "The North West is a region with huge potential which we are seeing through the developments currently taking place at Ulster University at Magee & Coleraine, North West & Northern Regional Colleges and the Innovation Centre, the medical school project would very much add to this.

"There has been huge investment in Altnagelvin over the past few years and the new radiotherapy unit as a cross border service is a major development. This investment makes Altnagelvin a centre of excellence and therefore an ideal teaching location.

"The cross border nature of the new radiotherapy centre is something which should be used as a model for future service delivery."

(CD/JP)