RCN Wales responds to the latest NMC register data

Responding to the latest NMC register data, Helen Whyley, Director RCN Wales, said:

“Whilst the latest NMC register data shows that there are more nurses this year in Wales, the ageing nursing workforce, who will soon enough be retiring, coupled with the leavers, 1370 this year, is very concerning.

The Welsh government launched a National Workforce Implementation Plan in February of this year, detailing how they would be addressing the recruitment and retention issues in the NHS in Wales. We are yet to see this in place for nursing. This plan needs to be urgently actioned, or we will be seeing nursing numbers fall rapidly over the coming years.”

Ends

Notes to Editors 

Latest data from the NMC shows 

• Between April 2022 and March 2023, 1,666 people joined the NMC register in Wales

• The number of people aged 56 and above increased by 4.7% in 2022-2023, from 9,106 to 9,561.

• The number of people in Wales leaving the permanent register decreased to 1,370

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interests of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the Welsh government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies, and voluntary organisations.

For more information, please contact the RCN Wales Communications Hub on 02920680769.