Midwives: Graduate Guarantee

Lord Wigley Excerpts

Tuesday 21st April 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

Obviously, what matter most are patient safety and patient satisfaction, and I am very much looking forward to the independent report from my noble friend Lady Amos in this regard, because she is focusing on that. I am sure that she will consider the best place. I cannot comment on whether the noble and learned Baroness’s assertion will be the best option here, but there was a separate call for evidence under the workforce plan so that we could hear directly from maternity and neonatal staff.

[Lord Wigley (PC)]

My Lords, does the Minister accept that while patient safety is, of course, the primary thing, there is also a very strong obligation to ensure that promises made to young people going in for training are fulfilled? We are aware of these challenges in Wales. Surely there needs to be a more integrated approach to workforce planning to ensure that in future we do not get this embarrassing situation.

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I certainly agree with the noble Lord. I know he will understand that I can refer only to England in this context, but I take his point about Wales. I mentioned earlier that this situation very much needs sorting out and that is what we are doing. We are working closely with employers and universities. We are improving workforce planning, enhancing support for students and co-ordinating more local recruitment activity. As I have outlined, plenty of work has been undertaken and I am sure we will continue to monitor and do more.