UK Launches Recruitment Drive, Aims for 300,000 Doctors and Nurses.
In an effort to address the chronic shortage of doctors and nurses, the UK government has announced a new plan to recruit over 300,000 staff for the National Health Service (NHS) in England.
The NHS, which celebrates its 75th anniversary, is currently facing an estimated workforce deficit of 360,000 by 2037 due to factors such as an aging population, insufficient training of domestic healthcare workers, and challenges in retaining existing staff.
The government’s long-term workforce plan includes measures such as reducing the duration of medical school training and increasing the number of locally trained healthcare professionals. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated that this is the largest single expansion in NHS education and training in history.
Sunak emphasized that the government aims to train twice the number of doctors and an additional 24,000 nurses annually in the coming years. These efforts are expected to reduce waiting lists and enhance patient care. Furthermore, initiatives will be implemented to improve staff retention and reform the healthcare system for future sustainability.
Currently, NHS England has 112,000 vacancies, struggling to fill the gaps left by departing workers. The recent strikes within the NHS, driven by concerns of inadequate pay and excessive workloads, highlight the urgent need for action to address workforce challenges and reduce the backlog caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to government projections, the plan could result in an additional 60,000 doctors, 170,000 nurses, and 71,000 other healthcare professionals in the NHS by 2037. This long-term workforce plan marks a significant opportunity to establish sustainable staffing levels for the future, ensuring that the NHS can meet the rising demand for health services.
It is important to note that healthcare is a devolved matter, with Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland responsible for setting their own policies in this area. The UK government has jurisdiction over health matters in England.
The implementation of this recruitment drive seeks to fortify the healthcare system and provide better care for patients across the UK.
Source | AFP