Janet Finch-Saunders MS has raised concerns after figures revealed that 383 newly qualified nurses, midwives, and operating department practitioners graduating this summer have not secured NHS jobs in Wales following the initial recruitment process.
The news comes despite continued pressures across the Welsh NHS, where health boards continue to rely heavily on agency and bank staff. Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has also set out its ambition to reduce and ultimately end its reliance on agency staffing by recruiting more permanent employees. Against that backdrop, questions have still been raised as to why so many newly qualified healthcare professionals remain without substantive NHS posts after completing their training.
Janet Finch-Saunders, Senedd Member for Bangor Conwy Môn said:
“This is an incredibly worrying situation. At a time when patients continue to face long waiting lists, corridor care and staff shortages, it is difficult to understand how hundreds of newly qualified healthcare professionals are unable to secure NHS jobs.
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has made it clear its intention to reduce the reliance on agency staff and strengthen its permanent workforce. This is a positive ambition, but it makes it even more important that we make full use of the talented nurses, midwives and healthcare professionals who have just completed their training.
These graduates have worked exceptionally hard, completed demanding training and clinical placements, and many entered their courses with the expectation that they would go on to serve patients here in Wales. The Welsh Government and NHS Wales must urgently improve workforce planning so that we retain this talent, strengthen our NHS workforce and deliver better care for patients.”
