The Minister said he had hoped to announce an overall increase in
places, but intensifying budgetary pressures have made that
unachievable.
The level of pre-registration education places will be the same
as last year in each of the following areas: Nursing and
Midwifery – 1,025, Allied Health Professionals (AHP) – 335 and
Social Work – 285.
The Minister said:
“Significant progress has been made in recent years to increase
our workforce and I had hoped to be announcing further increases
to training places today to underpin the ongoing transformation
of the HSC but, unfortunately, that is not the case.
“I have warned that the budgetary position for health would
impact heavily on key areas, including training. This is the
first confirmation of that highly regrettable reality.
“I will continue to strongly make the case
for greater funding for health and social care and can confirm I
will be seeking Executive transformation monies and
cross-departmental support for investment in training.
The Minister continued:
“My Department's focus on workforce development over a number of
years has made a difference - supporting a 15.7% increase in
whole time equivalent staff in post across the HSC in Northern
Ireland between March 2018 and December 2023. Continuing on this
trajectory must remain a priority.”
Notes to editors:
- The Department of Health committed to and was able to deliver
an extra 900 nursing and midwifery undergraduate places over the
period 2020-23 under the New Decade, New Approach (NDNA)
agreement.
