Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions officials of his Department have had with universities on preparations to accommodate the planned increase in student midwife training places in autumn 2020.
Health Education England as the leader of the healthcare education and training system is currently undertaking scenario planning regarding future midwifery expansion targets to deliver the commitment for 25% growth (3,650 placements) by 2023. This will inform regional and national discussions with key stakeholders, including universities, about clinical placement capacity and the future phasing of targets for autumn 2020 and onwards.