What plans does the Welsh Government have in place to tackle long term issues for NHS workforce graduates finding employment in Wales, particularly in nursing fields?
I recognise the concerns regarding employment opportunities for some newly qualified nurses in Wales. While recruitment decisions are made by individual NHS organisations, I am working closely with NHS Wales partners to maximise opportunities for graduates who wish to live and work in Wales.
In response to the challenges experienced by some nursing graduates this year, I convened a Graduate Summit in June. Following the Summit, Welsh Government, NHS Wales, HEIW, universities and professional bodies agreed a series of immediate and longer-term actions to support graduates into employment and strengthen workforce planning.
Organisations across NHS Wales continue to work together to implement these actions. Since the Summit, additional Band 5 nursing opportunities have been identified, meaning vacancies are now available for around 92% of nursing graduates. Graduates are also being supported with professional registration, wellbeing, career planning and employment advice, while longer-term work is underway to improve workforce intelligence and better align future training commissions with workforce demand.
My priority remains to support newly qualified nurses into employment wherever possible, retain their skills within Wales, and reduce the risk of similar challenges arising in future.