A recruitment drive has been launched to help fill more than 200 medical vacancies across Wales.

Health Minister Lesley Griffiths announced the campaign as new figures showed there are currently 201 GP jobs and other medical vacancies advertised in Wales.

There are "ongoing difficulties" in filling certain NHS jobs in specific parts of the principality, Welsh Government officials have admitted.

The Work For Wales recruitment drive will run over the next 12 to 18 months and includes a website for potential new medical practitioners.

Ms Griffiths said: "Wales, like many other parts of the UK, faces difficulties in attracting doctors in certain locations and in certain medical specialities. This campaign will promote the unique values and opportunities Wales has to offer to doctors, both in a professional and lifestyle capacity."

Officials also hope to clear up any "misconceptions" over how health services are delivered and about Wales.

Welsh NHS Confederation director Helen Birtwhistle believes Wales has plenty to offer.

She said: "The NHS in Wales is making some really bold and innovative changes to improve the way services are delivered. We are leading the way in the UK with initiatives to address health inequalities, deliver hospital care in the community, and to support people to stay independent in their own homes for as long as possible."

Copyright Press Association 2012

Two midwives have received a prestigious award for taking a novel approach to promoting normal birth.

Putting women at ease during childbirth is one of the most vital midwife jobs and NHS Ayrshire and Arran midwives Alison Fyfe and Donna Burns received praise for doing just that at the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Annual Awards.

The midwives created an environment which promoted normal birth and helped address women`s fears of childbirth by using hypnobirthing, which involves using hypnotherapy or hypnosis during a normal birth.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran director of integrated care and partner services Mandy Yule said: "Many women find childbirth a daunting prospect, so anything we can do make this a more enjoyable experience is to be commended."

The midwives discovered the majority of women had a fear of childbirth after holding their first hypnobirthing class in 2009. Women and obstetric units have increasingly become aware of the benefits hypnobirthing can have as a way of achieving natural childbirth.

RCM chief executive Cathy Warwick said: "It is important for people to know that midwifery does not stand still. When midwives are given the resources, support and freedom to develop their work, the result is better services, better care and better outcomes for mothers, babies and their families."

Copyright Press Association 2012

Britons and people living in other high-income countries are among those most likely to suffer with neck pain, according to a study.

Those residing in high-income countries are more susceptible to the problem than those in low or middle-income countries, the study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found. Women are more likely to suffer with neck pain than men, while office and computer workers are also prone to the problem.

Spinal manipulation carried out by osteopaths or other people in allied health professional jobs was found to be better at relieving symptoms than medication. Workers short on time often choose medication, whether it is prescribed over-the-counter or by those in GP jobs , as they are reluctant to leave work for treatment.

But patients who were taught self-massage techniques rather than just relying on help from professionals also benefited more than people on medication.

British Osteopathic Association head of professional development Kelston Chorley said: "Pain relief medication can be expensive and learning self-massage techniques mean individuals can be empowered to help manage their pain.

"Further, where medication is ineffective, this can result in ongoing problems that could have been resolved earlier and may even worsen as a result. This can mean people have to take time off work for extended periods."

Copyright Press Association 2012

A nurse from Guy and St Thomas` hospital has been handed one of the most important nursing jobs at the Olympic Games.

Tracy Holmes, who usually works as a site nurse practitioner, has taken on the role of venue medical manager at the London 2012 Games. Ms Holmes will ensure top athletes like Usain Bolt and Jessica Ennis are looked after, as well as members of the public.

Ms Holmes will be based at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford and will be in charge of a team of medical staff who will organise the care of athletes and the public. She will ensure anyone who is injured or taken ill on site will be treated by the relevant medical staff, while serious cases will be sent to a nearby hospital.

She said: "In the build-up to the Games I`ll be involved in setting up the medical treatment area in the Olympic Stadium. I`ll work closely with other venue medical managers so treatment areas in each Olympic venue are exact mirror images of each other to enable medical staff to work easily in any venue, and be able to find everything quickly.

"We`ll also get involved in `test events` at the venue so medical staff can practise their roles, and to check that I rota enough staff to look after the crowd and the Olympians."

Copyright Press Association 2012