MPs warn that staff shortages will stop NHS from delivering its long-term plan

MPs have warned that unless the NHS can fill their current staff shortages of around 100,000, they will fail to deliver their long-term plan.

According to the report published by the Public Accounts Committee, the situation will ‘rapidly reach crisis point’ as the vacancies represent ‘a major obstacle to its financial viability’.

The report stated “The long-term funding settlement for the NHS and the NHS long-term plan present an opportunity to bring back stability to the health system. However, with about 100,000 current vacancies, the NHS will not deliver against the plan unless it addresses staffing shortages.”

The long-term plan was announced earlier this year following a commitment by the Government to invest an extra £20.5billion in funding each year by 2023-24.

Committee chairperson Meg Hillier, said “Voices from the front line came through loud and clear in our latest examination of NHS sustainability. As one hospital trust chief executive put it, “Staffing is the biggest challenge we face … it’s one of the biggest threats to financial sustainability in the NHS.””

A recent report from the Health Foundation showed that record numbers of NHS staff are quitting due to burn-out.

A spokesman from NHS Improvement said “The NHS has reduced the number of staff vacancies and the number of trusts in deficit over the past year.

“We are building on these achievements with our people plan, which will set out how we will deliver a 21st century NHS for our rising and ageing population by growing the number of doctors and nurses, as well as by giving trusts in deficit extra money and support from this month so that every hospital will return to financial balance within the next five years.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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