Expansion of NHS retention programme will support co-ordinated approach to tackling workforce shortages

10 July 2019

Responding to the rollout of the National Retention Programme by NHS England and NHS Improvement, the deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery said:

“A viable solution to the 100,000+ vacancies across the NHS involves both recruitment and ensuring that hard-working and skilled staff want to stay within the NHS.

A viable solution to the 100,000+ vacancies across the NHS involves both recruitment and ensuring that hard-working and skilled staff want to stay within the NHS.

Saffron Cordery    Deputy Chief Executive

“Trusts have welcomed the support of the National Retention Programme so far. It is welcome that more than 1,000 staff members have since chosen to stay within the NHS. We are pleased that the programme will support a coordinated approach to the delivery of the long term plan and that it will be rolled out further to include GPs.

“As set out in the interim NHS people plan, we need to continue to see more action to ensure all staff across health and care feel valued, supported to have a good work/life balance and access to the training and development opportunities they need.

As set out in the interim NHS people plan, we need to continue to see more action to ensure all staff across health and care feel valued, supported to have a good work/life balance and access to the training and development opportunities they need.

Saffron Cordery    Deputy Chief Executive

“But this needs to be supported by urgent action in other areas, including the pensions issue, which is forcing senior clinicians to reduce their working hours and affecting patient care. We also need to see more investment in NHS education and training budgets as part of the forthcoming spending review. Without this, these approaches will only have a limited impact.”