Further overseas recruitment ‘small step’ in tackling nurse vacancies in Wales

Plans to recruit hundreds of Indian nurses and doctors to the health service in Wales have been described as ‘a small step’ in addressing vacancies across the country.

The Welsh Government has announced plans to recruit a further 200 nurses and doctors from India to join the Welsh health service.

More than 300 healthcare professionals have already joined NHS Wales from India since March 2024, after an agreement was made between the Welsh Government and the Indian state of Kerala.

Nicky Hughes, Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Wales associate director of nursing (employment relations), said the union ‘welcomes’ the move, but said this was a ‘small step’ in addressing the 2,000 unfilled nurse vacancies across Wales.

She urged the Welsh Government to ‘focus on valuing the nursing profession’, including by improving pay and working conditions, alongside long-term financial sustainability.

And she pointed to ongoing concerns about proposals to close Cardiff University’s nursing school and the ‘threat’ this poses to the future of nursing in Wales.

Last month, new figures from the University and College Admissions Service (UCAS) revealed that applications to study nursing in the UK had fallen for a fourth consecutive year.

However, Wales saw an increase in applications last year, with 430 more people applying to study nursing in 2025, compared with 2024 – at 3,480 applications (+14%).

Motivation to move

Cabinet secretary for health and social care, Jeremy Miles, recently met with Keralan staff coming to Wales to discuss their move to the country.

‘Wales has a long and proud tradition of welcoming healthcare professionals from all over the world and ethical international recruitment is a key part of our workforce strategy to ensure that the NHS in Wales has the right people and skills it needs,’ he said.

Staff nurse Teena Thomas, from Karunagappally in Kerala, is set to join NHS Wales soon and said she was drawn to the health service’s ‘reputation for excellence’ and high-quality patient care.

‘I’m excited to be part of a team that values compassion, kindness, and respect. The opportunity to work in a multicultural environment and contribute to the wellbeing of the Welsh community is truly fulfilling,’ she explained.

Last month, Nursing in Practice exclusively reported on a survey which showed nursing students in Wales are experiencing ‘extreme stress’ due to financial difficulties that have forced some to use local food banks or to skip meals altogether.

And in November, RCN Wales warned that the future of primary care in Wales is ‘at risk’, with an ageing general practice nurse workforce and a growing nurse recruitment crisis.