Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 6
6
The COVID-19 outbreak presents new challenges, as well as opportunities, for improving the recruitment and...
Conclusion
The COVID-19 outbreak presents new challenges, as well as opportunities, for improving the recruitment and retention of nurses in the NHS. In particular, it is vital that the NHS protects the mental health and well-being of nurses who have contributed so much during the COVID-19 outbreak. NHSE&I told us it had put measures in place to support staff, but there are worrying signs of increased levels of stress and burnout since the start of the outbreak, with 90% of nurses reporting higher levels of anxiety in a survey of staff. The NHS also acknowledges that it must do more to improve local leadership and make better use of flexible working arrangements if it is to retain nursing staff in the longer term. HEE also estimates that 20% of final-year students who stepped up to work for the NHS during the outbreak may have difficulty completing the clinical practice hours they need to graduate on time this year. We are also concerned in case the necessary safeguards being put in place to protect Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff, who are disproportionately affected by COVID-19, restrict their work experience and career progression. Recommendation: We welcome NHSE&I’s publication of early lessons from COVID-19. NHSE&I should ensure it also makes available a full and frank assessment of the new challenges to nursing recruitment and retention specifically and how health providers should address them, particularly where this could disadvantage certain groups for example students or minority ethnic staff. Recommendation: As part of this assessment, NHSE&I should take stock of the measures in place to support nursing staff’s mental health and wellbeing, to share good practice and identify what else staff may need. 8 NHS nursing workforce 1 Plans for addressing the need for more nurses
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
6. 1 The Government agrees with the Committee’s recommendations. Ta rget implementation date: Spring 2021 6.2 It is important that as a health and care system, the department and NHS continue to assess the potential challenges and impact of COVID-19, including on the recruitment and retention of nurses. 6.3 The impact of COVID-19 will be different on each of the supply routes into the profession and therefore it is appropriate for individual assessments to be undertaken. This work is already underway and will continue to form a key part of the ongoing delivery and monitoring of the 50,000-nursing target and more widely through our continuous work on the People Plan Programme. 6.4 During the initial surge of COVID-19, the NHS introduced a comprehensive package of health and wellbeing support for staff, including confidential support via phone/text, specialist bereavement support, free access to mental health and wellbeing apps, and training and support for line managers. Over 400,000 staff have accessed NHSE&I’s physical and psychological health and wellbeing offer to support them through the COVID-19 response and a quarter of a million visits have been made to the NHS’ dedicated website people.nhs.uk. 6.5 As the COVID-19 pandemic develops and 2020-21 winter approaches, the NHS will continue to review and refine its national health and well-being offer with an emphasis on supporting psychological and physical safety. It is working closely with regional colleagues to develop mental health wellbeing hubs in seven regions. These will provide proactive outreach and access to psychological support for those where there is an identified need.