QNI Response to Health Education England’s Draft Workforce Strategy

Health Education England (HEE) have released a new draft health and care workforce strategy for England to 2027.

You can read and download the draft strategy ‘Facing the Facts, Shaping the Future’ online.

The QNI has responded with QNI Chief Executive Dr Crystal Oldman CBE commenting:

‘We welcome Health Education England’s draft workforce strategy. This shows a clear acknowledgement that the workforce is one of the most significant challenges facing health and care services and the strategy, when implemented, will go some way in alleviating pressures. However, we are disappointed that little attention has been paid to the immediate issues in the community nursing workforce. Whilst a comprehensive review of the current community-based nursing qualifications is planned in 2018, figures showing 26.1% fewer District Nurses and 36.5% Learning Disability nurses than in 2012 illustrate that action is urgently required, based on this existing evidence. Steps to support a fully resourced, staffed and trained community workforce required to meet patient, family and carer need will be welcomed in the coming year and the QNI is keen to participate in this work.’