Responding to a new review published today of the NHS’ People Promise staff retention initiative, the interim chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery said:

“Trust leaders know there’s much more to do to keep the health service’s most prized asset- its people. 

“This pilot confirms what trust leaders have long known: supporting flexible working, flexible retirement and listening to staff concerns improves retention.

“With the pilot scheme also showing a welcome fall in sickness and absence rates and a boost in productivity, it’s important we now look at how we extend this scheme across the health service.

“This is vital given the NHS in England alone is grappling with over 106,000 vacancies and more than one in four staff absences is due to anxiety, stress and depression, and other psychiatric illnesses.

“We know too that ethnic minority colleagues often face discrimination and have a poorer experience than their white colleagues.

“With no let-up in daily pressures on NHS staff- particularly during the tough winter months- trust leaders know more needs to be done to protect and support existing staff from burnout and low morale.

"That’s why trust leaders want - and need - the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan to be a success. It’s vital that the revised plan, due to be published this summer, is backed with full funding.”