Latest news: NHS doctors shortage in Wales

The NHS has launched a campaign to attract doctors to Wales as it tries to fill a gap of 200 medical vacancies in the area. 02/02/2012

The Work for Wales campaign will begin with the launch of a new website which will highlight the benefits of working for the NHS in Wales as well as the increasing differences between NHS services in Wales and England.

Doctor shortages in Wales have led to growing concern that patient care and services will be affected across the region. Wales has had problems recruiting medical staff at all levels, but faces a particular shortage in specialist fields such as paediatrics, emergency medicine and psychiatry.

‘Wales, like many other parts of the UK, faces difficulties in attracting doctors to certain locations and in certain medical specialties. This campaign will promote the unique values and opportunities Wales has to offer doctors, both in a professional and lifestyle capacity,’ said health minister Lesley Griffiths.

‘Local health boards have got vast budgets and have to make sure they have got the trained staff required,’ she added.

Previous steps by the Welsh government to boost doctor numbers have included providing junior doctors with free accommodation for a year after qualifying as well as boosting its presence at recruitment fairs. However, many positions have had to be readvertised after remaining unfulfilled.

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