250 nurses and doctors will be coming to Wales under a new
agreement between Welsh Government and the Kerala Government.
As part of Wales in India, Health Minister Eluned Morgan signed
an agreement with the Government of Kerala to bring qualified
healthcare professionals from India to work in NHS Wales.
During the visit to Kerala, the Health Minister Eluned Morgan met
with some of the nursing and medical professionals, and their
families, who will soon be taking up roles in Wales at a
reception to thank them and celebrate their contribution to NHS
Wales.
Siji Salimkutty came to Wales as a nurse from Kerala in 2004 and
has spent the last twenty years working within NHS Wales. Since
coming to Wales Siji has continued to encourage international
recruitment helping to support other nurses to make Wales home.
His nephew, Sharoon, will be one of the 250 healthcare
professionals who will be coming to Wales from Kerala the next
year and his daughter is a medical student at Cardiff University
who also hopes to use her skills and knowledge in Wales.
Siji Salimkutty said:
"I came to Wales seeking opportunity, but what I found was a
home. For the past 20 years, working in NHS Wales has been
an enriching journey filled with camaraderie, growth, and a deep
sense of belonging. It's not just a job; it's a testament to the
warmth and spirit of this remarkable place."
Sharoon Kolickatharayil Nowshad (Sharoon K Nowshad) said:
“Moving to Wales as a nurse offers me the chance to reunite with
my uncles and family who have lived in Wales and worked in the
NHS for 20 years. I know when I arrive, I’ll be able to
settle in and progress in my career, and there’s already a strong
Kerala community where I can make new connections, while
reconnecting with my family.”
Ethical international recruitment is a key part of NHS Wales’s
workforce implementation plan and last year over 400
internationally educated nurses were recruited from overseas
through a nationally delivered programme. A further cohort of
internationally educated nurses as well as medical staff will be
recruited this year alongside a £5 million programme to support
targeted recruitment including further ethical international
recruitment.
Alongside significant investment to increase homegrown supply of
nurses and other healthcare professionals, recruiting
internationally helps to close the vacancy gap in the short and
medium term.
In recognition of the importance of the NHS workforce and to
support the development of Wales grown doctors and nurses, the
Health Minister announced last month that over £283 million will
be invested in the education and training of healthcare
professionals in Wales this year; helping to increase the number
of training places available.
The Minister for Health and Social Services, Eluned Morgan said:
“Despite record number of nurses and other healthcare
professionals in NHS Wales, the demand for health care workers
globally has significantly increased. International recruitment,
alongside our investment and commitment to home grown healthcare
staff, is one of the ways we can fill the workforce gaps and rely
less on agency staff.
“Kerala has a long history of training health care professionals
and supporting them to come to Wales. I have seen first-hand the
tremendous impact these dedicated nurses, doctors and other
health care staff have had on our health care services and it was
an honour to meet some of Wales’ future workforce as they prepare
to come to Wales.
“I am also delighted that despite the challenging financial
climate we have been able to maintain our budget for training
healthcare professionals in Wales. This shows our commitment to
building a high quality, professional workforce fit for the
future.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
Notes
- Photos from MoU signing and reception to follow
- At his annual Welsh Government Diwali event in Cardiff, the
First Minister of Wales announced 2024 as the year of Wales in
India. A year to celebrate and strengthen the deep-rooted
economic, educational, artistic and sporting ties between two
nations of culture and innovation.
- Wales in India is a celebration of two nations rich in
culture, language, arts, and sport. Throughout this year.
