Supporting the workforce: A joint statement

Summary

The NHS People Plan for England, devised with input from staff and employer organisations, provided a framework for solving fundamental workforce issues. Understandably its publication has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and may need to be reframed as well as ensuring it is directly relatable to the workforce.

This joint statement* argues that we must now move forward, begin to implement a new approach to our workforce and address the following urgent issues:

• Ensuring the wellbeing of the workforce
• Flexible working arrangements and at work facilities
• Increasing the supply of workforce
• New ways of working and delivering care
• Leadership

*The joint statement comes from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, the British Medical Association, NHS Confederation, NHS Providers, the Royal College of Nursing and UNISON