Royal College of Podiatry responds to cuts in podiatry education in Wales
If we are to meet the needs of the population of Wales podiatry urgently needs a steady pipeline of new recruits
Health Education and Improvement Wales has published its Education and Training Plan for 2026-7 which sets out the number of student places commissioned for podiatry in Wales. This plan, which has been approved by Welsh Government, sets out a reduction in the annual number of undergraduate podiatry places commissioned in Wales from 27 to 21 - a decrease of over 20%.
The Royal College of Podiatry strongly opposes this cut. Unlike other healthcare professions within the NHS workforce that have large numbers of newly-qualified graduates, there has been no growth in the podiatry workforce and podiatry is experiencing significant recruitment issues. Compounding this challenge, the current podiatry workforce has a markedly older age profile compared to other allied health professions, with 54% of podiatrists in Wales aged 50 or above.[i] This growing workforce fragility stands in stark contrast to the escalating demand for podiatric care, driven by an ageing population living longer, with multiple long-term conditions and presenting with increasing acuity.
If we are to maintain and increase workforce numbers to meet the needs of the population of Wales, podiatry urgently needs a steady pipeline of new recruits. Without this, the Welsh Government risks a detrimental impact on patient outcomes, particularly for people with diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, and those with musculoskeletal conditions. Cuts as set out in the Education and Training plan threaten the viability of our much-needed profession. The consequences of this for the health of the population of Wales will be significant, including avoidable and unnecessary amputations and deaths.
We have written to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care expressing our concerns and urging him to reconsider this decision. We will also be raising it as a matter of urgency with the new Welsh Government after the elections in May.
[i] HCPC. Registration data. Accessed online at https://www.hcpc-uk.org/data/the-register/register-over-time-by-characteristics-and-location/