Eluned Morgan MS, Minister for Health and 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 new and existing students for the 2024/2025 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 fees 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. This will help us to establish the best and most appropriate way of continuing to support those who choose to study health care related programmes in Wales. This will help us ensure the Welsh system still offers comparable benefits with other countries and that Wales remains a preferred student destination.
In the meantime, I have also agreed to remove the Reduced Rate of Maintenance Loan for all NHS Bursary Students with effect from the 2024/25 academic year. This will require a change to student support legislation. This will mean that once approved all NHS Bursary Students including Medical and Dentistry Students in their Bursary Years, will be able to access the full amount of maintenance loan, regardless of any bursary entitlement or grant.
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.