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12/12/2023
Almost 1,000 New Nurses And Midwives Due To Graduate
The Department of Health has welcomed the news that up to 1,000 new nurses and midwives are due to graduate from Northern Ireland universities over the next six months.
These graduates includes more than 700 who will take part in winter graduation ceremonies this week at Queen's University and Ulster University (UU). Having completed their training, they will now be available for employment across the Health & Social Care (HSC) system.
The number of commissioned pre-registration nursing and midwifery university places in Northern Ireland almost doubled over the decade between 2012/13 and 2022/23.
The most recent destination statistics for new graduates from both Queen's and UU showed the vast majority intend to remain and work within Northern Ireland.
Maria McIlgorm, Chief Nursing Officer, said: "Recent published figures highlight the continued growth in the number of registered nurses and midwives in Northern Ireland.
"Data from the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) to the end of September 2023 shows there are now a total of 28,338 nurses and midwives here – that's 651 more than six months previously, and 3,949 more than five years ago.
"Working in the HSC system is an enormously fulfilling career choice, providing a wealth of opportunities, training and professional development.
"I wish all of those nursing graduates the very best as they start out on their careers."
The 1,000 figure includes 644 nursing & midwifery graduates from Queen's University, and 356 nursing and mental health nursing graduates from Ulster University.
While the majority are graduating this month, the balance will graduate in the summer of 2024.
In addition, a further 149 nursing students are due to graduate from The Open University later in 2024. All students under this programme are already HSC employees.
The 1,000 figure includes the first cohort of 300 graduates funded as part of the New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) agreement in 2020.
Under NDNA, the Department of Health committed to and has delivered an extra 900 nursing and midwifery undergraduate places over this three-year period.
The number of commissioned pre-registration nursing and midwifery university places in Northern Ireland increased from 680 in 2012/13 to 1,335 in 2022/23.
Due to severe budgetary constraints, the nursing and midwifery student places returned to their 2020 baseline of 1,025 in 2023/24. This remains about 50% higher than the 2012/13 figure and the Department of Health will look to expand nursing and midwifery places in future when funding, and the assessment of priorities, permits.
In addition to locally trained nurses and midwives, as of the end of October 2023, 1,733 internationally-trained nurses had taken up posts within HSC Trusts in Northern Ireland under an ongoing regional recruitment initiative, of which 1,609 still remain in post.
There were 520 new arrivals in 2022/23. As of the end of October 2023, there have been 116 international arrivals so far this financial year.
These graduates includes more than 700 who will take part in winter graduation ceremonies this week at Queen's University and Ulster University (UU). Having completed their training, they will now be available for employment across the Health & Social Care (HSC) system.
The number of commissioned pre-registration nursing and midwifery university places in Northern Ireland almost doubled over the decade between 2012/13 and 2022/23.
The most recent destination statistics for new graduates from both Queen's and UU showed the vast majority intend to remain and work within Northern Ireland.
Maria McIlgorm, Chief Nursing Officer, said: "Recent published figures highlight the continued growth in the number of registered nurses and midwives in Northern Ireland.
"Data from the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) to the end of September 2023 shows there are now a total of 28,338 nurses and midwives here – that's 651 more than six months previously, and 3,949 more than five years ago.
"Working in the HSC system is an enormously fulfilling career choice, providing a wealth of opportunities, training and professional development.
"I wish all of those nursing graduates the very best as they start out on their careers."
The 1,000 figure includes 644 nursing & midwifery graduates from Queen's University, and 356 nursing and mental health nursing graduates from Ulster University.
While the majority are graduating this month, the balance will graduate in the summer of 2024.
In addition, a further 149 nursing students are due to graduate from The Open University later in 2024. All students under this programme are already HSC employees.
The 1,000 figure includes the first cohort of 300 graduates funded as part of the New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) agreement in 2020.
Under NDNA, the Department of Health committed to and has delivered an extra 900 nursing and midwifery undergraduate places over this three-year period.
The number of commissioned pre-registration nursing and midwifery university places in Northern Ireland increased from 680 in 2012/13 to 1,335 in 2022/23.
Due to severe budgetary constraints, the nursing and midwifery student places returned to their 2020 baseline of 1,025 in 2023/24. This remains about 50% higher than the 2012/13 figure and the Department of Health will look to expand nursing and midwifery places in future when funding, and the assessment of priorities, permits.
In addition to locally trained nurses and midwives, as of the end of October 2023, 1,733 internationally-trained nurses had taken up posts within HSC Trusts in Northern Ireland under an ongoing regional recruitment initiative, of which 1,609 still remain in post.
There were 520 new arrivals in 2022/23. As of the end of October 2023, there have been 116 international arrivals so far this financial year.
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£2.1m Invested In Health Service Education And Training
Funding of £2.1 million is to be invested in education and training to boost the health service workforce, Health Minister Robin Swann has announced. The package includes 1,335 nursing and midwifery university places for 2022/23, as well as additional medical specialty and Allied Health Profession (AHP) training posts.
£2.1m Invested In Health Service Education And Training
Funding of £2.1 million is to be invested in education and training to boost the health service workforce, Health Minister Robin Swann has announced. The package includes 1,335 nursing and midwifery university places for 2022/23, as well as additional medical specialty and Allied Health Profession (AHP) training posts.
25 November 2024
Visit Belfast Celebrates 25 Years of Transforming Tourism Landscape
Visit Belfast, the city's dedicated Destination Marketing and Management Organisation (DMMO), is celebrating a quarter-century of success.
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New Defence Heritage Record Launched
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the launch of a new Defence Heritage Record, a comprehensive resource detailing over 4,500 sites constructed across Northern Ireland in response to World War One and Two, as well as the Cold War.
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Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the launch of a new Defence Heritage Record, a comprehensive resource detailing over 4,500 sites constructed across Northern Ireland in response to World War One and Two, as well as the Cold War.
01 August 2002
Overseas nurses recruited to fill NI shortfall
The Royal College of Nursing has said that the shortage of nurses in Northern Ireland hospitals has forced health officials to try to recruit staff from abroad. Latest figures from the College revealed that one in every 16 nurses in the province is from outside the British Isles.
Overseas nurses recruited to fill NI shortfall
The Royal College of Nursing has said that the shortage of nurses in Northern Ireland hospitals has forced health officials to try to recruit staff from abroad. Latest figures from the College revealed that one in every 16 nurses in the province is from outside the British Isles.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
