Workforce strategy urgently needed Additional 1 million staff needed in health and social care by 2033/34

The Health and Social Care Select Committee today (Thursday) published evidence from the Health Foundation showing that an additional 1 million staff will be needed across health and social care in England by 2033/34 to keep up with projected demand. Anita Charlesworth, Director of the Health Foundation’s REAL Centre, commenting on the Centre's evidence, said: 

‘Years of under-investment in the workforce have made the NHS and social care less resilient to the pandemic than they might otherwise have been. Doctors, nurses, health care staff and care workers have been put under enormous strain over the last year, and the government now needs to take action to care for those who have cared for us.   

‘A fully-funded, national workforce strategy should be at the heart of plans to recover the NHS and put social care on a sustainable footing. The NHS and care system needs to recruit and retain enough staff to get services back up and running, but they also need to safeguard the wellbeing of those currently working on the front line. This can’t just be a one off – England needs a long-term approach to workforce planning that is transparent, accountable, and ensures we have enough staff with the right training to provide high quality care.'