Written question WQ92848
- Asked by
- Janet Finch-SaundersConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 3 days
Question
What steps is the Cabinet Secretary taking to increase the number of speech and language therapists in Wales?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
There are currently 50 speech and language therapist training places available across Wales, split across the two training programmes operating in Wrexham and Cardiff. The number of student places was increased in 2020 by 10%, from 44 places to 49, which was over and above the numbers identified via Integrated Medium-Term Plans (IMTPs). The number is 50 for 2024/25, to match service demand.
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) is responsible for the annual education and training commissioning process in Wales, to address workforce requirements on behalf of the NHS Wales. HEIW continue to engage with NHS health boards, trusts and wider stakeholder groups including Social Care Wales to create and inform future education and training plans. Ultimately it is HEIW’s responsibility to produce a plan that is deliverable within the context of the education and training capacity available.