NHS Long Term Workforce Plan promises to boost services in south east London
The NHS in south east London is excited at the potential of the first ever health service Long Term Workforce Plan published today.
Importantly, the NHS developed the plan itself by working in partnership with the government and our own staff and experts. The government has committed to investing in its proposals for the next five years.
This will deliver the biggest increase in training numbers in our 75-year history and result in record numbers of nurses, doctors, dentists, Allied Health Professionals and other key healthcare staff to address the gaps in the current workforce and meet the challenge of a growing and ageing population.
Since the founding of the NHS 75 years ago, we have relied on the skill and dedication of staff who came here from around the world – and there will always be a place for them in the NHS. But as global demand for healthcare workers grows, we need to train more people here to future proof the NHS.
Increasing recruitment is not enough on its own so we are also setting out how we will retain more staff and use tech to free up them up to do what they do best: care for patients.
Our staff have told us that they want opportunities to progress and learn throughout their working life, so this plan also looks at how to deliver on the commitments in the NHS People Promise, ensuring we can attract and retain talent and support our teams.
Things will not change overnight but this NHS workforce plan represents a once in a generation opportunity to put staffing on a sustainable footing.
If you’re thinking about choosing to work in the NHS, why not try our five minute quiz which might just confirm for you that we’re a good match.
It’s on the NHS health careers website where you can find lots more information and resources.