Part of 1. 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:06 pm on 7 March 2017.
Well, this is something, of course, that’s hugely important, as the Member says. If we look, for example, at the Rhondda cluster in Cwm Taf, that’s been particularly active in terms of recruiting. It’s hugely important, of course, that a student goes somewhere and has a positive experience. That’s why it’s hugely important that we’re able to do that. If we look at the Rhondda cluster as an example: they have a cluster communications officer to build the reputation of the Rhondda as a great place to work, they’ve developed the Rhondda Docs website, which describes the lifestyle and career available in the Rhondda, and they’ve developed a recruitment and retention survey and analysis, which will form part of the cluster’s delivery plan in the new financial year. That’s one example that can be used or adapted by other clusters in order to make sure that when students actually do their GP training in Valleys areas, they feel they’re coming to a place that is forward-thinking, that is well resourced and has GPs who are dedicated to their community—and in all those respects, the cluster fulfils those obligations.