NHS Long Term Workforce Plan
The first ever Long Term Workforce Plan by the NHS has been published today
The plan sets out how the NHS will address existing vacancies and meet the challenges of a growing and ageing population by recruiting and retaining hundreds of thousands more staff over 15 years and working in new ways.
The Long Term Workforce Plan aims to:
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Double medical school training places to 15,000 by 2031, with more places in areas with the greatest shortages
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Increase the number of GP training places by 50% to 6,000 by 2031
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Almost double the number of adult nurse training places by 2031, with 24,000 more nurse and midwife training places a year by 2031.
The UK Government has committed more than £2.4 billion to fund additional education and training places over five years on top of existing funding commitments.
Vicki Nash, Associate Director of Policy, Campaigns and Public Affairs at Mind said:
"Tackling the gulf between the level of need and the NHS’ ability to deliver care depends on the capacity of the workforce so it is encouraging to see a commitment to expanding the mental health workforce. The support of an understanding, empathetic clinician can make all the difference to people’s lives, so the workforce must also reflect the communities they serve and actively tackle the stigma we know still exists around so many mental health problems.
"It is crucial that people with mental health problems always have the option of face to face treatment, as we know many people, particularly those living in poverty, are excluded from being able to access digital treatment options.
"We must also see the ambition for the NHS workforce matched by investment in other services, including in social care, so people with mental health problems can get the right support from every part of the system."
