Staff Shortages in the NHS
Staff shortages within the NHS are well publicised, with recent press reports once again highlighting the additional impact of the NHS pensions “tax trap” on frontline care, and the uncertainty over Brexit implications for current and potential future employees.
Staff shortages within the NHS are well publicised, with recent press reports once again highlighting the additional impact of the NHS pensions “tax trap” on frontline care, and the uncertainty over Brexit implications for current and potential future employees. Currently, there are around 100,000 vacancies with the NHS.
In January 2019, the NHS Long Term Plan was published, and this included workforce plans which highlighted the need for extra staff. As part of this strategy, specific mention was made of the potential to expand the Medical Training Initiative (which allows trainee doctors from outside the EU to work in the UK for a maximum of two years) so that more medical trainees from both developed and developing countries could learn and work in the NHS. Reports suggest that the NHS is still waiting to see any increase on the cap under the Medical Training Initiative from the Home Office. The Interim NHS People Plan issued in June 2019 also highlighted the staffing issues faced by the NHS, and in particular, the shortages in nurses.
With both Brexit and the NHS heading up the list of key issues for voters, it is to be expected that focus will remain heavily on the NHS during the general election campaigns. Health bosses have already advised that the NHS should not be used as a “political weapon” but we are likely to see further promises and assertions being made in respect of funding and costs.We’ve already seen proposals for an “NHS visa” under a points-based immigration system – with extra points awarded for working in the NHS. It remains to be seen what further specific proposals will be made for tackling the key issue of current and anticipated future workforce shortages and the impact that this is having (and will continue to have) on staff morale and frontline care, including whether there will be the previously discussed expansion of the Medical Training Initiative. We also await the publication of the NHS Full People Plan which is due later this year.
Contact
Mark Hickson
Head of Business Development
onlineteaminbox@brownejacobson.com
+44 (0)370 270 6000
Related expertise
You may be interested in...
Legal Update
The Assisted Dying Bill: What health and social care professionals need to know
Online Event
Legal principles of workforce change management in the NHS and the people dimension
Legal Update
What does the 10-year health plan mean for social care?
Legal Update
The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan: What’s in it for mental health?
In Person Event
Mock Employment Tribunal
Legal Update - Employment Rights Bill
The Employment Rights Bill: Is it here yet?
Legal Update
Building sustainable NHS-private sector partnerships: Expanding private patient units and beyond
Legal Update
NHS private patient units: Expanding via partnerships and key considerations
Legal Update
Top 10 considerations when expanding an NHS private patient unit
Legal Update
How to expand an NHS private patient unit: Practical guidance
Press Release
10-year health plan: Reaction from Browne Jacobson's health and life sciences team
Legal Update - Mindful insights
Mindful insights: June 2025
Opinion
Pride Month: A time to review DEI
Guide
Legal project management: A cornerstone in operational delivery of inquiries
Opinion
National maternity investigation launched: Enhancing care and addressing inequalities
Press Release
Browne Jacobson comments on the government's 10 year infrastructure strategy
Opinion
Employer redundancy guide: Sourcing alternative employment
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson delivers record-breaking growth as strategic vision drives exceptional performance
Legal Update
What might the public inquiry on child sexual exploitation look like
On-Demand - Shared Insights
Shared Insights safeguarding forum: Focus on self-neglect
Press Release
Spending Review 2025: Browne Jacobson lawyers respond to Chancellor’s announcement
Legal Update
PPU roundtable 2: Advancing private patient units
Legal Update
Trans matters in health for trusts and acute settings: The decision in For Women Scotland
Legal Update
ESG and sustainability report: Rethinking communication and credibility
Press Release
Majority of UK organisations remain committed to sustainability and ESG, says new research
Legal Update
Producing robust capacity assessments and the approaches to assessing capacity
On-Demand - Care Focus webinar series
Care Focus: Critical incidents and managing risks
Legal Update
Can those with a probate claim access a deceased patient’s records?
Press Release
UK-EU reset deal: Comments from Browne Jacobson experts
Opinion
Tackling inequalities in maternity care: NHS Providers' call for bold action
Opinion
Disciplinary procedures and mental health: Employer considerations
On-Demand
Shaping a culture of respect and harmony: Managing competing beliefs
Published Article
Anonymity injunctions for clinicians
Legal Update
Celebrating diversity and inclusion in the NHS: Equality, Diversity, and Human Rights Week 2025
Legal Update
Supporting mental wellbeing in the workplace: Practical steps for businesses
On-Demand - Shared Insights
Shared Insights: Perils and pitfalls of social media in the health and care sector
Press Release
Browne Jacobson advises Apiary Capital on investment in pharmaceutical marketing agency PIO
On-Demand - Care Focus webinar series
Care Focus: Critical incident inquests
Press Release - Firm news
Browne Jacobson appoints Bethan Parry as Partner in health and litigation team
