Written question WQ83881
- Asked by
- Andrew RT DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Health and Social Services
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 11 days
Question
What action is the Welsh Government taking to (a) attract more and (b) retain (i) neurology specialists and (ii) MS nurses.
Answer
Answered by Minister for Health and Social Services
Health boards and NHS trusts are responsible for recruitment and workforce planning, supported by Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) and other partner organisations. The Welsh Government is supporting retention through a range of policies to enhance engagement and wellbeing to support people to remain in work.
Since 2016 the number of full time equivalent neurology consultants has increased by 23% (from 23.4 to 28.8) and there are 17 neurology speciality training posts across Wales currently. However, health boards have reported recruitment challenges at consultant level, like elsewhere in the UK, as demand for services increase.
The NHS in Wales is committed to supporting people with multiple sclerosis (MS) by ensuring the right treatment and help is available, including through specialist nurses. Health boards are responsible for providing specialist nursing care for people with long term complex conditions, such as MS.
The number of registered nurses in Wales continues to increase and training places have risen significantly in recent years. HEIW is leading on the development of a new workforce plan for nursing.