The Health Secretary is speaking at the RCN Congress in Liverpool this weekend to encourage nurses to train, work and live in Wales.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
Wales swept the boards at nursing and midwifery awards earlier in the year. The RCNi Nurse of the Year, Community Nurse and Healthcare Assistant Awards were all won by nursing staff from Wales; the RCM Midwife of the Year and the Journal of Health Visiting Health Visitor of the Year were also won by Welsh nurses and midwives.
During his visit to Liverpool Vaughan Gething will meet nurse Melanie Davies from Morriston Hospital, Swansea, who has just been named RCNi Nurse of the Year, for her work making far-reaching changes to the care of vulnerable patients with learning disabilities.
Vaughan Gething said:
“Our recent grand slam of nursing award triumphs shows just how exceptional our nursing staff are in Wales.
“Everyone is an ambassador for Wales and I want to congratulate them all; their success tells a story of professionals supported to develop better ways of working, and supported to do the best job they can for their patients.
“That’s what Wales offers to nurses, and I’m going to the RCN Congress to tell that story, and to encourage more nurses to choose Wales for their future career.
“Wales is a fantastic place to train, work and live; a place where we will continue to offer NHS Bursaries for eligible student nurses, midwives and allied health professionals in 2018/19. It’s a place where we will continue to support professional development, and it’s a great place to find the right-life balance, with a great mix of beautiful countryside and vibrant cities.
“We continue to invest in nursing education, and the number of nurses working in NHS Wales continues to increase year on year.
“Wales is the first country in Europe to legislate on nurse staffing areas; empowering nurses and ensuring the resources are in place to care sensitively for patients. The RCN were key to promoting this and we continue to work closely with them.
“We are proud of our nurses, and we work to support them; I hope nurses elsewhere in the UK and the world will consider developing their career with us.”