The Prime Minister’s “arbitrary” pledge was not based on the number of nurses the NHS actually needs.
The NHS faces a shortfall of nearly 40,000 nurses despite a Conservative pre-election pledge to bolster the workforce.
An analysis published today by the Health Foundation reveals that even if outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivers on his pre-election pledge for 50,000 “more nurses”, there will still be a significant hole in the workforce.
The findings, which call into question the ability of an incoming government to rebuild the NHS and improve standards of care following the pandemic, are part of a wider research report on the future of the NHS workforce in England.
Anita Charlesworth, Director of Research and REAL Centre at the Health Foundation, explains, “The 50,000 target is arbitrary and not based on the number of nurses the NHS needs; nor does it ensure that nurses are recruited to the areas and types of care where the need is greatest. 50,000 extra nurses will still leave the NHS almost 40,000 short of what is needed.”
The recently announced below-inflation pay award and proposed industrial action will only worsen the situation.
Confirming the fears of NHS leaders.
The report also criticises an over-dependence on international recruitment, which it describes as a “quick fix” and emphasises does not replace the need to train and retain more nurses in the UK.
Responding to the analysis, the Royal College of Nursing‘s director for England Patricia Marquis said, “For years, ministers have failed to take responsibility for staffing levels in health and social care.
“There is no alternative to comprehensive long-term workforce planning, that fully takes into account patient needs.
The NHS Confederation says the report confirms the fears of many NHS leaders and called for a plan from the new Prime Minister.
Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the group added, “The NHS needs a realism reset from the Conservative leadership candidates.
“The new Prime Minister must face up to chronic staff shortages which are compromising patient care and jeopardising the ability of the NHS to make significant and sustained inroads into the elective care backlog.”
