On the 75th anniversary of the NHS, Janet Finch-Saunders MS has backed Welsh Conservative calls for a comprehensive recruitment and retention plan.
This follows the comment by the Head of NHS Wales, Judith Paget, that there is a need for “a rapid increase in the number of staff.”
Last week the UK Government announced a long term workforce plan for NHS England. This is seeing focus on training more staff, retaining more staff, and reforming how staff work, leading to major changes such as a doubling of the number of medical school training places; almost double the number of adult nurse training places; and a 40% increase in the number of dental training places.
Commenting on the Welsh NHS, Janet said:
“The UK Government is pursuing a plan that will put NHS England on a stronger footing. The Welsh Labour Government should be doing the same in response to calls from the Welsh NHS for a rapid increase in staff.
“The around 5,000 vacancies is having a detrimental impact on the ability of the NHS to operate effectively in Wales, including here in Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
“We have surgical theatres that are not used, MIUs unable to extend opening times, and patients struggling to secure appointments with GPs.
“Aneurin Bevan’s intention was to make the same, high level of service available to all, according to need. That is not being achieved. There are over 30,000 patients still waiting two years for treatment, despite the fact 2-year waits have been virtually eliminated elsewhere in the UK.
“Wales can and must do better, for the sake of patients and hardworking staff.”
ENDS
Saith deg pum mlynedd ers sefydlu'r GIG, mae Janet Finch-Saunders AS wedi cefnogi galwadau'r Ceidwadwyr Cymreig am gynllun recriwtio a chadw staff cynhwysfawr.
Daw hyn yn dilyn sylw Pennaeth GIG Cymru, Judith Paget, bod angen cynyddu nifer y staff yn gyflym.
Yr wythnos diwethaf cyhoeddodd Llywodraeth y DU gynllun gweithlu hirdymor ar gyfer GIG Lloegr. Bydd yn canolbwyntio ar hyfforddi mwy o staff, cadw mwy o staff, a diwygio sut mae staff yn gweithio, gan arwain at newidiadau mawr fel dyblu nifer y lleoedd hyfforddi mewn ysgolion meddygaeth; dyblu bron nifer y lleoedd hyfforddi ar gyfer nyrsys oedolion; a chynnydd o 40% yn nifer y lleoedd hyfforddi deintyddol.
Wrth sôn am y GIG yng Nghymru , dywedodd Janet:
"Mae Llywodraeth y DU yn dilyn cynllun a fydd yn rhoi GIG Lloegr ar sylfaen gryfach. Dylai Llywodraeth Lafur Cymru fod yn gwneud yr un peth mewn ymateb i alwadau gan GIG Cymru am gynnydd cyflym mewn staff.
"Mae'r tua 5,000 o swyddi gwag yn cael effaith andwyol ar allu'r GIG i weithredu'n effeithiol yng Nghymru, gan gynnwys yma ym Mwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Betsi Cadwaladr.
"Mae gennym ni theatrau llawfeddygol sydd ddim yn cael eu defnyddio, Unedau Mân Anafiadau sy’n methu ag ymestyn eu horiau agor, a chleifion sy'n cael trafferth cael apwyntiadau gyda meddygon teulu.
"Bwriad Aneurin Bevan oedd sicrhau bod yr un lefel uchel o wasanaeth ar gael i bawb, yn ôl yr angen. Dyw hynny ddim yn cael ei gyflawni. Mae dros 30,000 o gleifion yn dal i aros dwy flynedd am driniaeth, er gwaethaf y ffaith bod arosiadau dwy flynedd wedi cael eu dileu i bob pwrpas mewn mannau eraill yn y DU.
"Gall Cymru wneud yn well, a rhaid iddi wneud hynny, er mwyn cleifion a staff gweithgar."
DIWEDD
