Questions Without Notice from Party Spokespeople

Part of 2. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services – in the Senedd at 2:44 pm on 13 December 2017.

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Photo of Vaughan Gething Vaughan Gething Labour 2:44, 13 December 2017

Thank you for the question. This goes back to the policy intent of this Government, which I've already indicated, to maintain the NHS bursary. It's not just a bursary for nursing students; there is a range of health and care professionals who receive the bursary. The continuation of the bursary in direct contrast to England—this Welsh Labour Government decided to continue with that support—has been particularly important for mature students to stay in the system on the basis that there'll be an expectation that people then work for NHS Wales for two years after their training has been completed. I believe that's a fair settlement of something for something. We recognise that most people who are starting as mature students already have ties to a local area, and so whilst their qualifications mean they're mobile, they already have ties that will keep them in their community in any event. I look forward to reporting back on the practical success of the bursary in the next few years, as people complete their training.