Published: 22/07/2026
Organisations across NHS Wales continue to work together to support nursing, midwifery and Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) graduates into employment.
Since the Cabinet Minister’s summit in June just under 100 additional Band 5 nursing roles have been identified meaning that there are vacancies available for 92% of nursing graduates. Vacancies have also been identified for all Operating Department Practitioner graduates.
Intensive work continues by all partners to address the remaining nursing roles and to identify suitable opportunities for midwifery graduates.
Progress has varied across the three professions, reflecting differences in workforce requirements and recruitment circumstances. However, partners remain committed to maximising opportunities for graduates and supporting as many newly qualified professionals as possible to begin their careers in Wales.
Alongside recruitment activity, partners are supporting graduates with professional registration, wellbeing, career planning and employment advice to help them prepare for the next stage of their careers.
HEIW, health boards, trusts, Royal Colleges and universities have also been meeting with graduates who have not yet been matched to a role. These sessions have provided an opportunity to detail the work taking place across Wales, answer questions and listen to concerns. Feedback from these discussions has helped inform a frequently asked questions document, which is regularly updated and available to students.
Graduates will continue to receive updates as work progresses throughout the summer. A further wider update will be provided during the week commencing 24 August recognising that many students will have graduated and be available for work by the end of September.
Alex Howells, Chief Executive of Health Education and Improvement Wales, said:
“We recognise this remains an uncertain time for some graduates, but we want to reassure them that work is ongoing across NHS Wales to support them into employment.
“These graduates have the skills, compassion and commitment our health and care services need. Whether qualifying as a nurse, midwife or Operating Department Practitioner, every graduate represents an important part of the future NHS Wales workforce. Our priority is to retain that talent in Wales while continuing to strengthen workforce planning and better align education, workforce supply and future service needs.”
Jennifer Winslade, Executive Director of Nursing at Aneurin Bevan Health Board, added:
“Newly qualified nurses, midwives and Operating Department Practitioners are central to the NHS Wales workforce. We recognise that some graduates continue to face uncertainty, and we remain committed to working with partners across Wales to identify suitable opportunities across all three professions.
“Alongside this, we are ensuring graduates have access to clear information, practical advice and ongoing support as they prepare to enter employment from September onwards.”