Written question WQ86151
- Asked by
- Janet Finch-SaundersConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Health and Social Services
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
What is the Welsh Government doing to ensure a consistent flow of new GPs to fill the gaps left by retiring GPs?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Health and Social Services
The Welsh Government is committed to providing the NHS the workforce it needs to meet ever increasing demand. We are achieving this through increased training places, encouraging young people to take up health professions and recruiting outside Wales.
The GP speciality training programme has been significantly expanded over the past three years, supported by our Train Work Live marketing campaign and associated financial incentives scheme. The current recruitment target of 160 new GP trainees each year is consistently being achieved, with funding in place to recruit up to 200 trainees if suitable applicants are available. A total of 183 new GP trainees were recruited last year. This will have a direct positive impact on increasing the number of GPs caring for patients across Wales.