Years of reports stating how poor workforce planning is have resulted in a situation which is directly affecting the delivery of quality care across healthcare. Kate WoodheadRGB, DMS, warns that for any plan to come to fruition workforce elements need urgent attention.
In June 2018 the Prime Minister invited NHS England to set a 10 year plan for the future of the NHS. It was unusual, as most forward plans are for a five year time span. This followed a vital increase in funds announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer after much lobbying.
In late August there was a call for ideas from organisations and individuals with an interest in developing the NHS Plan, which closed in late September, having recorded more than 2000 responses. At the time of writing we are awaiting the plan with bated breath; it is said to be published either in late November or during December 2018. However, predicated on the plan is the question how does the workforce ready itself for a long term strategy when there are a record number of vacancies across the board in health and social care? And will the NHS plan have considered the implications for the workforce?
The Health Foundation, The Kings Fund and the Nuffield Trust all hugely respected healthcare think-tanks have collaborated to produce a report1 ahead of the planned publication, reviewing the NHS healthcare workforce and their issues. It is this report which will be examined ahead of the publication of the 10 year plan as it is fundamental to delivery going forward
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