Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 21
21
As part of the long-term plan for the cancer workforce, the Government and NHS England...
Conclusion
As part of the long-term plan for the cancer workforce, the Government and NHS England should develop specific proposals for improving the retention of experienced cancer staff, including targeting burnout and improving the day-to-day working conditions of staff. (Paragraph 115) Variation
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Building on the progress, the Government’s forthcoming 10 Year Cancer Plan will set a new vision for how we will lead the world in cancer care, including ensuring we have the right workforce in place. The NHS People Plan and 22/23 NHS priorities and operational planning guidance is clear that the wellbeing of the workforce is crucial and there is a programme of work to retain NHS staff. This includes a much stronger focus on staff health and wellbeing, more support for flexible working, and a renewed commitment to tackling inequality. 40 staff mental health and wellbeing hubs have been set up across the country to provide health and social care colleagues rapid access to assessment and local evidence-based mental health services and support where needed. The hub offer is confidential and free of charge for all health and social care staff in England. The hubs can offer a clinical assessment and referral to local services enabling access to support where needed, such as talking therapy or counselling. A national programme of support for occupational health – Growing OH – has been launched, initially working with 4 local systems to co-develop the approach which will ensure that occupational health is a trusted partner, and a key part of a preventive, organisation-wide approach to health and wellbeing. The NHS are working with key partners in the Occupational Health community to understand and help shape the future of OH provision going forward. The Growing OH and Wellbeing strategy will be published by June 2022. The NHS Retention Programme is continuously seeking to understand why staff leave, as well as why they stay, resulting in targeted interventions to support staff to stay whilst keeping them well. Structured around the key areas of the People Promise, the Retention Programme is helping to embed a consistent offer across a number of areas (eg improving flexible working, workplace culture and health and wellbeing) to improve staff morale and experience. This includes a recently published retention guide which provides practical advice and guidance to line managers and employers on how they take positive action to help retain their staff.