What assessment has the First Minister made of the impact of the reduction in midwifery commissioned training places from 224 to 144 undertaken by the previous Welsh government?
The Welsh Government has considered the impact of changes to commissioned midwifery training places as part of its wider approach to workforce planning and education commissioning.
Commissioning levels are informed by Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), drawing on workforce demand, service capacity, student recruitment and affordability, and balancing immediate financial pressures with the need for a sustainable long‑term workforce pipeline.
These decisions also reflect the operational context within NHS Wales. Recent evidence indicates a mismatch in some areas between the number of graduates and the availability of funded posts, influenced by financial recovery measures, improved staff retention and reduced vacancy turnover.
The Welsh Government recognises concerns about the scale and timing of these reductions, including potential impacts on future workforce supply and service pressures. These are informing ongoing engagement with HEIW, NHS organisations and professional bodies.
The commissioning position for 2026-27 supports a one‑year period of stabilisation. During this time, the Welsh Government and HEIW will undertake detailed scenario modelling and develop a strengthened, long‑term workforce planning and commissioning model for future years.