Written question WQ96313
- Asked by
- Rhys ab OwenIndependent
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 3 days
Question
What plans does the Welsh Government have to increase the number of medical speciality training places in Wales?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
The Welsh Government continues to invest record levels in the education and training of healthcare professionals. This reflects the importance of the development of the NHS workforce and ensuring the health service has the staff it needs now and for the future.
Despite the extremely challenging financial situation facing the Welsh Government, and in recognition of the importance of our NHS workforce, on 5 February I announced an investment of £294million for the education and training of healthcare professions for the academic year 2025/26.
Through the annual Education and Training Commissioning Plan process, Health Education Improvement Wales (HEIW) advises Welsh Government on the number of new medical training posts based on predicted population needs and training capacity. These recommendations are considered in the context of available resource.
Since 2019 there has been an increase of 342 Specialty Training posts and 222 Foundation posts. There are now approximately 1900 trainees in secondary care and 900 in foundation training¹.
We also continue to invest in our GP training programme having agreed £40.78m for 2025-26, which is an increase of £1.38m (3.5%) on the previous year. This enables us to provide 160 GP Training posts each year.
¹ For clarity, the numbers included within the annual Education and Training Plan illustrate the annual increase in numbers.