Steve Brine comment on Long Term Workforce plan

Responding to today’s announcement on the Government’s publication of the Long Term Workforce plan, Health and Social Care Committee Chair Steve Brine MP said:

“To see a long-term workforce plan for the NHS marks a huge step forward and is something the Select Committee has long been calling for. For hard-pressed staff who struggle daily to deliver health services, this is a moment of hope. The plan should be seen as a foundation stone upon which to build the workforce of the future.

“I’m delighted that the Government has listened to many of the key recommendations in our workforce report. The Committee has called repeatedly for the publication of staff projections for the next 5, 10 and 20 years and I welcome the Government’s commitment to this in today’s workforce plan, crucial in enabling health leaders to plan how they will meet future demands.

“The Government has also listened to our call for a major increase in the number of medical school places and I welcome plans to double the number available and to boost the number of training places for GPs. A reduction in the time it takes to train a doctor as proposed would also ease some of the pressure, and it’s something the Committee explored in its report last year.”