We need community-based staff with the skills and expertise to deliver on the NHS’ ambitions
31 October 2025
Daniel Elkeles responds to a report by the Nuffield Trust highlighting the decline in numbers of district nurses.
Community
Workforce
Prevention
Responding to a report on district nursing by the Nuffield Trust, the chief executive of NHS Providers, Daniel Elkeles, said:
"District nurses play a vital role in bringing care to people’s homes – helping them keep well, maintain their independence, and supporting recovery after illness.
"They are at the heart of the health service’s ambitions to focus more on prevention and neighbourhood working.
"This underlines the importance of the forthcoming 10-year workforce plan, to ensure we have enough community-based staff, working in a range of roles, with the skills and expertise to deliver the shift from hospital to neighbourhood-based care."
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