Janet Finch-Saunders, the Member of the Senedd for Bangor, Conwy and Môn, has raised deep concerns about the number of Nursing graduates facing being left without work, following the completion of their degree.
This is due to HEIW, forecasts for the current cohort taking place during the Covid-19 pandemic, where staffing turnover in the NHS was high, and the service was under immense pressure. While, now staff retention in the Welsh NHS has improved. Meaning that fewer people have left the NHS and fewer vacancies have become available.
However, the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has the highest level of full-time equivalent vacancies for registered nursing staff, at nearly 400 vacancies. This is nearly double the amount of vacancies in the Hywel Dda Health Board area.
Janet commented:
“It is deeply concerning that newly qualified nurses, who have dedicated years to training for a profession our Welsh NHS depends upon, are now facing the prospect of unemployment.
“ These graduates, are being let down at the very start of their careers. It simply does not make sense that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is still carrying almost 400 registered nursing vacancies while talented, qualified nurses are struggling to secure employment. We cannot afford to lose this generation of nurses through poor workforce planning.
“The Welsh Government and HEIW must urgently review their approach and ensure these graduates are given the opportunity to put their skills to work caring for patients across North Wales."
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
