One in ten midwives have lost their jobs over the last two years in Wales.
Between 2008 and 2010, there was a drop of 126 whole-time equivalent positions; a fall of almost ten per cent, to 1,322.
That’s according to figures highlighted by the Welsh Conservatives, on the day new data on health spending is published.
The King’s Fund claims the NHS in Wales is set for a budget cut of nearly 11% over three years.
Speaking during FMQs, Acting Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the Assembly, Paul Davies AM, has challenged the First Minister to confirm there will be no further reductions to frontline staff.
Mr Davies said: “The First Minister gave me absolutely no guarantee on the future of our frontline nursing staff.
“That extremely concerning reaction confirms just how bleak this situation is.
“We are already losing midwives at a rate of well over one a week. Now we know more could follow.
“We already lag behind the rest of the UK on cancer, cardiac and stroke services. Now we know more frontline staff could be lost.
“That’s unsustainable and unfair on both patients and NHS employees.”
Shadow Minister for Health Darren Millar AM said: “Our NHS needs to be given more resources to help it catch up with the rest of the UK. Slashing investment will only make the situation worse.
“It is now time for Labour to admit it is massively cutting the NHS budget in Wales – apologise for misleading us – and urgently look at revising its budgetary priorities.”
