January 2022
Price: £95 PLUS VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference was an opportunity to discuss key issues for the health workforce and policy priorities going forward for tackling critical challenges facing the NHS, especially in recovery from the pandemic.
The conference was chaired by: Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, Chair, Health and Social Care Select Committee; and Baroness Thornton, Shadow Spokesperson for Health.
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote contributions from Dr Sanjiv Ahluwalia, Regional Postgraduate Dean, NHS Health Education London; and Honorary Clinical Associate Professor, University College London Medical School; Alastair Henderson, Chief Executive, Academy of Medical Royal College; Dr Vivienne Lyfar-Cissé, Chair, NHS BME Network; Dr Andrew Tresidder, Clinical Lead for Resilience Hub, Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group; and South West Clinical Lead, NHS Practitioner Health; and Lucy Warner, Chief Executive, NHS Practitioner Health Programme.
The discussion looked at how best to support workforce mental health and take forward approaches to tackling burnout as well as priorities for the provision of workforce support and funding in the continued response to the pandemic and addressing the elective care backlog.
Delegates also considered opportunities for improving inclusivity, pay, and professional development alongside key actions required to drive progress and long-term strategic workforce planning. We also expected discussion on priorities for recruitment and retention as well as for delivering the skills, training, and capacity for innovative healthcare and meeting future demand.
The conference examined workforce priorities in the context of developments at the time, including:
- NHS funding - following announcements in the Autumn Budget and Spending Review, including the health and social care levy, as well as the growth of the NHS budget
- workforce strategic planning - as the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announces an elective care delivery plan on workforce planning by the end of November, and the development of a 15-year long-term plan for the health workforce expected next spring
- mental health support and funding - with the NHS recently funding an additional £15m to support the health and social care workforce during the pandemic
- the NHS People Plan - which includes commitments to support the wellbeing of the workforce, tackle discrimination, and drive recruitment and retention
- the Health and Care Bill - aiming to reduce the bureaucratic burden on the health workforce and support integration across health and care
The discussion brought together stakeholders with key policy officials who attended from the DHSC; the NAO; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government.
