The NHS and social care workforce Adequate funding and a strategic, long-term approach to planning are needed to ensure a sufficient and skilled workforce

The UK has an ageing population with more complex health needs. This means the NHS needs to provide more health care, and therefore employ enough people, in the right roles, working as effectively as possible.
Our research and analysis of the issues around workforce aim to inform policymaking and ensure the debate is evidence-based and focused on the future.
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Falling short: the NHS workforce challenge
Our fourth annual report analysing the staff profile and trends in the NHS workforce in England in 2018/19.
Nurse supply model: exploring the impact of COVID-19
This working paper explores the potential impact of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on the future supply of nurses in England.
Nurse supply model: progress so far
The Health Foundation's REAL Centre commissioned DAS to produce a model that can be used to develop supply projections of the nursing workforce with a time horizon of 10 to 20 years. This working pape...
Investing in The NHS long term plan
A briefing analysing the challenges for health and social care following the publication of the NHS long term plan, including the implications for activity levels and workforce in the NHS in England.
Closing the gap
Staffing is the make-or-break issue for the NHS in England. This report sets out a series of policy actions that should be at the heart of the workforce implementation plan.
Labour market change and the international mobility of health workers
This working paper explores the migration and mobility of health workers. It summarises the international health care labour market, and discussess policy options to respond to a growing need for heal...
A critical moment
Our third annual report analysing the staff profile and trends in the NHS workforce in England in 2018.
The health care workforce in England
This joint briefing highlights the scale of workforce challenges facing the health service and the threat this poses to the delivery and quality of care.
Rising pressure: The NHS workforce challenge
This report analyses the profile and trends of the NHS workforce. It also focuses on two pressure points: the impact of the removal of the NHS bursary on student nurse numbers, and staff retention.
Election briefing: A sustainable workforce
The third and final Health Foundation briefing ahead of the 2017 General Election considers the steps that might be needed to make sure the NHS and social care in England have enough of the right peop...
In short supply: Pay policy and nurse numbers
This report examines the current position with regard to two of the most important issues in workforce policy: nurse numbers and staffing standards; and pay policy. These pose both immediate and long-...
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