October 2024
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This conference focused on priorities and the pathway for long-term workforce planning, training, retention and reform in England.
Delegates discussed next steps for the delivery of the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, which looks to address the projected workforce shortfall over the next 15 years, including doubling medical school places to 15,000 by 2031/32.
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders and policymakers to discuss priorities for the new Government following findings in Lord Darzi's recent Independent Investigation of the National Health Service in England. Delegates examined key issues affecting the workforce that the report draws out, including the need for new approaches to improving recruitment and retention, and supporting staff welfare and mental health, along with professional development and training to keep staff up to pace with advances in technology.
Attendees assessed what will be needed to create the increased medical education and nursing training places as set out in the Plan, along with implications and opportunities for stakeholders in the health, social care, education and training systems.
Areas for discussion included priorities for building the academic workforce to meet targets for increased places and options for revising the length of programmes so newly qualified professionals can enter the workforce more quickly.
Increasing accessibility and options for apprenticeships for key roles were discussed, as well as building capacity for this type of training. Discussion also considered strategies for reducing reliance on international workers and improving resilience within the domestic workforce, including whether funding and plans go far enough to achieve this within current timeframes.
The discussion took place in the context of the extended period of industrial action within the NHS, and initiatives from the Secretary of State aimed at their resolution.
Putting resources in place for managing and paying staff, including those coming in through new training places were also discussed, as well as key considerations for where newly qualified staff are posted in relation to patient need, including addressing GP shortages.
It was an opportunity to consider options for improving NHS workforce planning, following NAO’s report published in March which set out recommendations to make the model more accurate for future decision-making.
We also expected delegates to look at improving retention within the workforce, including latest thinking on improving career pathways and contributing to research, plans to retain older workforce members in the NHS and whether reforms to the pension scheme and flexible working options are enough. They also considered the role of integrated care systems in delivering planning and culture change locally for the workforce, and developing best practice for retaining the workforce in disadvantaged areas.
Further sessions looked at the way forward for reform, including the role of regulation in new advanced and associate professional roles, and the outlook for developing internship models and how this could work in practice. Priorities for ensuring the workforce has the right skillsets for operating innovative digital health methods and working with multi-morbidity patients were also discussed, as well as next steps for effective leadership following government proposals to form a new Royal College of Clinical Leadership.
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with: Dr Alan Clamp, CEO, Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care; James Freed, Deputy Director, NHS Digital Academy; Tim Phillips, Director, Health Value for Money, NAO; Martha Roberts, Chief People Officer, Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes ICS; and Hiba Sameen, Lead Economist, REAL Centre Team, The Health Foundation.
All delegates were able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. Those that attended include officials from DHSC; DWP; HSE; MHRA; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government.
