Approximately 400 nursing and midwifery graduates in Wales are currently without NHS jobs following the completion of the initial job matching process. Health Education and Improvement Wales reported that improved staff retention has led to fewer vacancies than expected, leaving many graduates without roles despite the ongoing demand for healthcare services.
The situation has prompted criticism from nursing unions, who highlight the urgent need for more staff in hospitals. A further allocation phase is planned to match graduates to remaining roles, but concerns remain about the overall staffing crisis in the Welsh healthcare system.