Northern Ireland

Funding boost for nursing workforce in NI welcomed

More than 1,300 nursing and midwifery university places are to be made available for 2022/23
More than 1,300 nursing and midwifery university places are to be made available for 2022/23 More than 1,300 nursing and midwifery university places are to be made available for 2022/23

MORE than 1,300 nursing and midwifery university places are to be made available in Northern Ireland for 2022/23.

The announcement was last night welcomed by the north's chief nursing officer, who said it "more than matches the all-time high student tallies of the last two years".

Speaking on International Nurses Day today, Maria McIlgorm, said: "Nurses have been to the fore of our response to Covid-19 and we fully recognise not only how challenging the pandemic period has been but also the very serious consequences it has had on our workforce.

"But I want assure my fellow nurses and midwives that we are wholly committed to addressing these challenges and I warmly welcome the increase in student numbers announced by Minister (Robin) Swann.

“It’s vital that we continue to grow our future workforce and this investment will help us do that.

"Today’s announcement more than matches the all-time high student tallies of the last two years.

"On top of this, we will also be increasing our International Nurse Recruitment Programme to bring a further 44 nurses into the HSC."

The nursing and midwifery student total forms part of a £2.1 million training and education package also announced by Mr Swann.

This also includes funding for further medical specialty and Allied Health Profession (AHP) training posts.