Further to WQ87340, given that there is only one occupational health consultant currently practicing in Wales, will the Minister make a statement confirming what steps are being taken to improve the recruitment of consultants within this speciality?
The shortage of occupational physicians is a known UK wide issue. Addressing the challenges in Wales of the training, development, recruitment and retention of occupational health consultants has been identified as one of nine priority actions to support the development of a more equitable and sustainable occupational health provision for NHS Wales services.
We have committed to providing a plan for the development of occupational health provision for NHS Wales in the National Workforce Implementation Plan. Working alongside a wide range of stakeholders, including occupational health professionals and Health Education and Improvement Wales, options are being discussed to ensure a sustainable pipeline of doctors to provide the specialist occupational medicine input that NHS Wales staff require.