WIREDGOV

The £80m funding will support the education and training of the next generation of healthcare professionals including nurses, midwives, radiographers, paramedics and pharmacists.

The number of training places funded is based on workforce plans developed by NHS organisations and has been discussed with healthcare unions and representatives.

The funding will build upon the work already undertaken to develop healthcare support workers in Wales, support the Fitness to Practise programme to ensure overseas nurses who want to gain registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, and support additional advanced practitioners across a range of professions

Health Minister Mark Drakeford said:

“High quality healthcare education is critical to support the delivery of health services in Wales both now and in the future, and I’m pleased to say Wales continues to have some of the lowest student drop-out rates in the UK.  There has also been a significant increase in NHS Wales staff over the last decade.

“This investment is based on what NHS organisations have told us they require to maintain services in the future.

“The extra nurses demonstrate our commitment to support young children living in disadvantaged areas by supporting an enhanced health visiting service. Our approach to community nursing also enables individuals to undertake additional training to respond to the needs of their local populations.

“It is important that this investment helps to reform the way we deliver services. Today’s announcement doubles the investment we make in advanced practice programmes across professions. This is already an area where Wales leads the way and the extra investment will ensure that we continue to do so.”