The workforce plan

At long last there is a plan. Now that the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan has been published (NHS England, 2023), we must all be committed to making our NHS flourish again as we focus on the challenge of filling the massive gaps in the workforce. Retaining staff is key, there are too few staff across all jobs in all aspects of the service. These vacancies make it difficult for the NHS to function as a modern health system.

The King's Fund (2023) has suggested that the publication of the workforce plan could prove to be a landmark moment. This is the first comprehensive long-term strategy for the NHS workforce. It is an essential first step to overcome the current workforce crisis. With a national focus on training and reform, and some initial financial commitment from government to back the plan, it should begin to place the NHS workforce on a sustainable footing.