Workforce planning. Academy of Medical Royal Colleges statement (March 2021)

Summary

In July 2020, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges in conjunction with the BMA, NHS Confederation, NHS Providers, RCN and UNISON produced a joint statement on the NHS workforce. The statement concluded that addressing the NHS and social care workforce issues is the best possible recognition of the hard work and dedication of staff during the pandemic. It will also be essential if the NHS and social care are to deliver for the public in the months and years ahead.

The NHS led Covid vaccination programme has given the nation hope and we are now able to look ahead and think about life beyond the pandemic. It is now the time to take practical steps to provide long term and sustainable workforce solutions for the NHS and care system.

This Academy statement focuses on the need for a clear process for workforce planning which aims for consensus over requirements. There is genuine enthusiasm for looking differently at how we do things throughout the NHS and care system post-pandemic and we must not let this opportunity to embed changes that improve the quality of care for patients, the health of the public and the experience for staff pass by.