Eluned Morgan, Minister for Health & Social Services
I am pleased to announce that I am further extending the current arrangements for the NHS Wales Bursary Scheme and will be retaining the existing package for an additional cohort for the 2023/2024 academic year. Through our Programme for Government commitment to retain the NHS Wales Bursary Scheme we provide a package of financial support for healthcare students who commit to work within the health care sector in Wales for up to two years post qualification. This package of support covers both tuition fess and an element towards living costs.
We recognise that we need to consider if the current financial package remains attractive and so during this period of extension we will undertake a consultation exercise to establish the best and most appropriate way of continuing to support those who choose to study health care related programmes in Wales and to ensure the Welsh system still offers comparable benefits with other countries in order to ensure that Wales remains the preferred student destination.
Through a combination of sustained and increasing investment in the provision of health professional education and training, and the continued provision of financial support to encourage individuals to consider healthcare in Wales as a worthwhile and rewarding career, this Government is demonstrating its clear commitment to ensuring the future sustainability of the NHS workforce.
This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be happy to do so.