THE bursary scheme providing financial assistance to healthcare students in Wales will continue in the 2023-24 academic year, it has been confirmed.

Student nurses, midwives, and allied healthcare professionals who commit to working in Wales for up to two years after qualifying are eligible for the NHS Wales Bursary.

The payment covers tuition fees in full, as well as living costs, and is non-repayable.

Health minister Eluned Morgan said: “We are committed to investing in the training of our nurses, midwives and other highly-skilled professionals working in our NHS.

“This further extension of the NHS bursary demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the future sustainability of the NHS workforce.

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“We are proud to continue the bursary that has helped so many people qualify and work in the NHS, caring for people in Wales.”

Education minister Jeremy Miles welcomed the news.

“The extension of the bursary will help attract and keep skilled healthcare professionals in Wales after studying here,” he said. “The bursary complements our improved student finance package, which is the most generous in the UK.”

Chief nursing officer for Wales Sue Tranka said she was “delighted” by the announcement.

She said: “A priority for me is to attract, recruit and retain a motivated, skilled workforce and the bursary reinforces this.”