Local Labour Assembly Member JOYCE WATSON AM welcomed the announcement of the more than doubling number of training places available for registered nurses who provide care in the community this year.
JOYCE WATSON AM said:
“I welcome this extra investment in training our nurses. I have seen the important work that nurses who provide care in the community do. They ensure the wellbeing of some of our most vulnerable people, assist our carers and play a role in building our communities.”
Health Minister Edwina Hart announced that some 98 nurses will be able to access training from September, compared with 45 in 2007. The increase is in an effort to meet the Welsh Assembly Government's objectives of providing more care in the community.
This forms part of a package that will also see an increase in the number of training places available for students wishing to enter nursing, and other healthcare professions, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, healthcare science, clinical psychology and pharmacy.
The nursing training places include: An extra 180 return-to-practice courses - for nurses wanting to return to the NHS - over the next three years; and 1,093 pre-registration nursing places - first-time degrees for students wishing to enter the nursing profession.
Health Minister EDWINA HART said: “Our ultimate aim is to improve the health and quality of life of the people of Wales and these extra training places will help us to deliver on our One Wales commitments, including providing more care in the community by nurses, one family nurse per secondary school and further utilising the skills of all the professionals in the health service.”
-
