Oral Answers to Questions

Theo Clarke Excerpts

Tuesday 17th October 2023 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Theo Clarke (Stafford) (Con)]

1. What steps his Department is taking to train more NHS staff.

[The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Steve Barclay)]

The NHS long-term workforce plan sets out a path to double the number of medical school training places, increase GP training by 50% and double the number of adult nursing training places.

[Theo Clarke]

What steps are the Government taking to increase the recruitment of midwives, given the closure of Stafford County Hospital’s freestanding midwifery birthing unit due to shortages, and how is the Secretary of State going to ensure that all midwives are trained to deal with birth injuries to reduce risk?

[Steve Barclay]

My hon. Friend raises an important point, and I know she has secured a debate in the House this week to further explore these issues. She will be aware that there has been a 13% increase in the number of midwifery programme place starters since two years ago. That is alongside the £165 million added to the maternity budget since 2021 and the key increase in midwifery places in the long-term workforce plan.