The Welsh Conservatives have slammed the Welsh Labour Government for its failure to expand medical training places, after new figures revealed that 40% of resident doctors in Wales believe they are at risk of unemployment this year.
A BMA Cymru Wales survey shows that more than four in ten junior doctors are facing unemployment or unstable locum work, with many citing stress, financial hardship, and even leaving the profession altogether. The figures come after Labour Ministers refused to implement recommendations from Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) to expand specialty training places in line with rising graduate numbers.
Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health, James Evans MS, said:
“This is a shocking example of poor workforce planning by the Welsh Labour Government, and it’s Welsh doctors and patients who are paying the price.
“By refusing to follow the recommendations of HEIW, Labour Ministers have put their fingers in their ears and ignored a growing crisis, this short-sighted attitude will only fuel the brain drain, as our best and brightest medical graduates are forced to leave Wales to pursue their careers elsewhere or give up medicine altogether.
“Wales urgently needs more doctors, and that starts with making sure we have enough specialty training places to keep them here. The Welsh Conservatives would implement a comprehensive workforce plan to ensure retention and recruitment of the medical professionals we need.”
ENDS
Note to editors:
- Fears resident doctors in Wales will be left unemployed from August.
