Health training places expanded

The extra places aim to reduce reliance on agency nurses

More healthcare training courses will be made available in Wales in the next academic year.

Health Minister Edwina Hart says more community nurses and midwives will be trained in an attempt to reduce patient waiting times.

Latest figures show there were over 100 vacant nursing posts in Wales, and hospitals often rely on agency nurses.

A new two-year post-graduate nursing programme for students with relevant first degrees will be established.

Bangor University is developing a new two-year post-graduate speech and language therapy programme to promote the service in Welsh.

Places on traditional three-year nursing courses will rise, with a total intake of 1,190, and speech and language therapy places will also be increased.

An extra 15 midwives will be trained as well as 12 extra radiographers, and a rise of 40 extra places for mental health nurse training.

I am determined that the NHS becomes more flexible, enabling staff to have a better work-life balance Edwina Hart

More training for nurses wishing to return to practice will be available, including those who wish to specialise in mental health or learning disabilities.

There will be extra places for dental hygienists.

Ms Hart said: "The staff in the NHS is its most important asset.

"These extra training places will ensure that we continue to have the appropriate levels of staff to meet the health and social care needs of the future.

"I am determined that the NHS becomes more flexible, enabling staff to have a better work-life balance.

"By having more nurses in the NHS, we will be able to reduce our reliance on bank and agency nurses, which will ultimately reduce costs."

Royal College of Nursing Wales director Tina Donnelly said: "RCN Wales welcomes the increase in training places for nurses.

"We have had discussions with the minister on the need to develop a robust workforce capable of meeting the needs of patients.

"We hope to see more nurses treating more patients in a variety of settings and these increases are welcome."