Written question WQ98274
- Asked by
- Janet Finch-SaundersConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 4 days
Question
Will the Cabinet Secretary provide an update on what measures are being taken to recruit and retain NHS staff?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
We are taking sustained action to recruit and retain NHS staff. Staffing levels in the NHS are at record levels thanks to our ongoing investment in education and training.
We have significantly expanded education and training places across nursing, medicine, midwifery and allied health professions to build a larger, domestically trained workforce, supported by long‑term modelling by Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW).
In 2025-26, we invested more than £294m to secure a sustainable pipeline of doctors, nurses and other health professionals. This includes funding more foundation training posts than Welsh medical graduates to ensure progression, alongside strengthened pathways into GP, specialty and dental training.
The National Retention Programme, led by HEIW, has reduced turnover and improved staff continuity. Streamlining arrangements prioritise newly-qualified nurses and midwives for NHS Wales posts, helping ensure they enter roles promptly and are supported into employment.
The All-Wales International Recruitment Programme provides a co-ordinated, ethical and streamlined approach to overseas recruitment, supporting hard-to-recruit professions.