RCN Wales responds to Welsh government's announcement on pre-registration nursing places

Responding to the Welsh government’s announcement of the number of commissioned nurse student places for 2023/2024, Helen Whyley, Director of RCN Wales, said:

“RCN Wales welcomes the announcement of additional student nurse places for adult, mental health and child nursing, but it is disheartening that learning disability nursing places have not increased again. Given that people with learning disabilities have some of the poorest health outcomes in our communities the need for learning disability nursing skills has never been greater.

"The Welsh government must continue to increase nurse student places in all fields of nursing and ensure that nursing students have access to adequate financial support through the NHS Wales Bursary Scheme. However, this in itself will not avert the current nursing workforce crisis. With over 3,000 registered nurse vacancies in NHS Wales alone, and agency spend exceeding £152m, we are
haemorrhaging experienced nurses at an alarming rate. There must be more emphasis on retaining the nurses we have.

"If urgent action doesn’t take place soon, not only will we continue to see a decline in applications to these student nurse places, but also a continued rise in attrition rates of students during their courses. This action must include a substantive and restorative pay rise as well as a retention strategy that includes assurance of safe staffing levels, access to continuing professional
development, and flexible working opportunities.

"The Welsh government needs to re-establish nursing as a respected, meaningful, well-paid profession working in safe conditions.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

• Adult nurse training places increase from 1,651 to 1,892 – (14.6% increase).
• Child nurse training places increase from 175 to 192 – (9.7% increase).
• Mental health nurses training places increase from 410 to 530 – (29% increase).
• Learning disability nurse places remain at 87.

Read the cabinet statement: Written Statement: Expansion in training places for the health professional workforce in Wales (18 January 2023) | GOV.WALES

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape health care policy by working closely with the UK government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies, and
voluntary organisations.

For more information, contact the RCN Wales Communications & Media Team at CommunicationWales@rcn.org.uk or on 02920680769