HUNDREDS of Welsh NHS workers could have overpaid thousands of pounds worth of tax while studying on career progression schemes. 
Doctors, nurses and midwives were mistakenly taxed while studying on ‘Widening Access Training Schemes’, despite being legally entitled to exemptions as they were not undertaking paid work.
Figures revealed by the Welsh Conservatives showed over 600 staff are still waiting for rebates.
One nurse from Cardiff and Vale University Health Board has issued a letter to Shadow Wales health minister Angela Burns to highlight the scale of the issue.
“I estimate that I am now owed in excess of £3,000, and many others of my course mates are owed much more - one has even received a rebate of £7,000 with more to come,” she wrote.
“Having submitted my own claim for a rebate more than a year ago, I am still yet to receive a penny.
“My nurse’s salary is barely enough to satisfy my outgoings, and I often feel I am just about keeping my nose above the water. 
“I work hard and often stay after my shift has officially finished because we are understaffed and because I care about my patients, but I am becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of urgency by which the health board has treated my claim.”
Conservative AM Ms Burns said: “The health boards really need to get their act together on this. 
“Clear guidance should be issued to participants of this scheme over who is eligible to claim, how they can claim, and how long it will take for their claims to be processed.
“Some NHS Wales employees are faced with serious financial challenges and to deny them the money they are rightfully owed sends a message of uncaring thanklessness.”
The Widening Access Training scheme sees NHS workers – including nurses, midwives and doctors - undertake full-time training at colleges and universities in Wales. 
A Freedom of Information request sent by the Welsh Conservatives revealed that ive of Wales’ seven health boards say they have workers still waiting for rebates under the scheme. 
The highest number of workers still awaiting rebates was at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, with 180 employees yet to receive money owed. Cardiff and Vale University Health Board currently has 125 staff who have not been refunded.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board have been contacted for comment.