£95m boost for healthcare education and training

EDUCATION and training programmes for healthcare staff are set for a boost after the Welsh Government announced a £95m funding package.

The investment aims to support nurses, physiotherapists, radiographers and a range of health science training opportunities.

The Welsh Government says the funding will enable more than 3,000 new students to join those already studying healthcare education programmes across Wales.

It builds on funding already in place for nursing, providing more than a 13% increase in nursing training places on top of the 10% increase in 201617 and 22% increase in 2015-16. Midwifery training places will increase by 40%.

The support package will also provide an additional £500,000 to support community healthcare such as advanced practice, education and extended skills training to support primary care clusters.

The Welsh Government says the funding will also contribute towards a “significant increase” in practice nurse and district nurse education as well as audiology training places within primary and community settings.

It will offer a “vital boost” for community services and will ensure many more patients can be cared for closer to home rather than in hospital, it is claimed.

Health Secretary Vaughan Gething said: “We rely on the skills, knowledge and experience of those providing the care in the NHS on a daily basis.

“Education and training is fundamental to ensuring the sustainability of our workforce. This £95m investment will ensure that our healthcare professionals are able to provide high quality care now and in the future and that patients’ will be able to receive care closer to home.”