Does the Government intend to build upon the work of Wales Asylum Seeker and Refugee Doctors (WARD) Group and extend it to other professions within the NHS to ease the pressures on the workforce?
Schemes such as WARD, which support refugees and asylum seekers to restart their professional lives can be beneficial to the individuals and their families, while also contributing to the skills and experience of the UK workforce. WARD was the first scheme of its kind in the UK, with Wales leading the way by demonstrating a model in which providing specialised support would lead to a wealth of professional skills and abilities being added to the workforce.
Earlier this year, RefuAid, a UK charity, in partnership with NHS England and John Moores University, established a scheme to support refugee nurses. The programme covers a range of areas, including English language skills, clinical skills, pastoral support, qualification recognition and support to secure an interview for a healthcare assistant job with an NHS employer. Following completion of the course, refugee nurses will be able to progress with the overseas registration process with the Nursing and Midwifery Council to become registered nurses.
A cohort of five refugee nurses from Wales completed the RefuAid course this year and they are currently being supported by local health boards to secure employment.
Welsh Government officials are working with Health Education and Improvement Wales to consider what further support can be provided to refugee nurses and other healthcare professionals in Wales.