The NHS will undergo a major revamp – but it’s biggest problem is still staff
The government has unveiled its new plans for the NHS, including a shift towards a neighbourhood model which will make it easier for people to access GPs.
While this move is encouraging, ultimately its success hinges on having the staff necessary to deliver the ambitious service improvements – and that is not yet the case, says Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) Deputy Chief Executive Kate Shoesmith.
“To break from the status quo, any long-term plan must emphasise reform of current staffing arrangements to ensure trusts have access to flexible and contingent workforces to fill people gaps in the system, and in recognition of how people want to work,” she said.
“Instead, the government often chooses to scapegoat agencies while staffing bank costs creep up. If Wes Streeting stopped focusing on political point scoring and instead engaged with our industry to form a proper partnership, NHS Trusts, patients, NHS workers and the government would all win.”
Shoesmith said the NHS badly needs a balanced workforce strategy that protects the choice to work flexibly.
“People across the labour market are drawn to agency work because it offers choice and helps those with personal commitments such as childcare, their own health conditions, semi-retirement, or other caring responsibilities.
“And the agencies themselves provide a flexible, responsive solution to meet the immediate needs of the NHS, cost effectively, because even with the best technology, you will always need people to cover when someone cannot work a shift. This makes flexible, value-for-money recruitment strategies key for the NHS to deliver improved services and create a resilient workforce.”
However, the government repeatedly refuses to work with the agency sector on that plan, said Shoesmith.
“Without a good working relationship with the agency sector, long-term plans for the NHS risk falling short. We are ready to work with the government to develop an in-depth NHS workforce plan, and we challenge them to explain why they will not accept this offer that will improve patient care and offer talented people the ability to remain working in the NHS,” she said.
