A recent FOI request by Plaid Cymru revealed
that the eighty medically trained military personnel have been made redundant
following Westminster Government cuts since 2010. This figure is probably going
to increase following the withdrawal of UK troops from Afghanistan. It would be
a wasted opportunity not to try and recruit the services of some of the best
trained medical professionals, who have a proven record of leadership in
difficult circumstances, into the Welsh NHS.
The Party of Wales Shadow Health
Minister Elin Jones AM said:
“It would be a huge missed opportunity
not to seek out highly skilled, highly trained medical experts with experience
of working in challenging circumstances. Those who have lost their jobs from
the Armed Forces should be targeted for recruitment into the Welsh NHS to help
meet the demands and challenges of turning around outcomes in the NHS frontline
for the benefit of Welsh patients. They have an abundance of transferable
skills that could be well received, particularly in our struggling A&E
departments.
“A number of those former military
medical staff will have leadership experience and I’m sure their skills could
be utilised by the NHS.
“Without doubt, those 80 who have been
made redundant by the Coalition G0vernment to date, as highly skilled
individuals would likely have found alternative employment by now. But I want
the Welsh Government to be proactive in identifying and seeking out those
medical personnel who may be leaving the forces in the future and consider the
possibility of developing a specific recruitment strategy for them.
“Former military medical personnel are
highly respected and I’m sure their involvement would be a boost to morale
among NHS staff and a shot in the arm for patient confidence in our health
service.
“I’m very much looking forward to
hearing views on such proposals as Plaid Cymru continues as the only party in
Wales to think seriously and creatively about the recruitment options for the
NHS.
“Our health service is in real need of
new leadership.”
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