Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 19
19
The Department and HEE highlighted the important role that apprenticeships and nursing associates play in...
Conclusion
The Department and HEE highlighted the important role that apprenticeships and nursing associates play in widening access to the nursing profession, by enabling people to earn money as they train. In the case of nursing associates, which is a separate role, people can also gain experience as an associate before deciding if they want to train to become a registered nurse.48 However, the Department recognised that it takes longer for nurses to qualify under the apprenticeship route, and the same applies to nursing associates who must study for a further two years to qualify as a nurse.49 HEE told us that it had seen “relatively early gains” with the apprenticeship model but admitted that some provider organisations had found it challenging to offer apprenticeships at scale and make full use of apprenticeship funding.50 HEE had a target to deliver 7,500 nursing associates by 31 March 2020, but the Department told us that this has been “knocked slightly off track” because the March intake was significantly reduced.51 HEE also confirmed it had targets in place for the number of registered nurses coming via the nursing associate route. It told us that it is directly supporting nursing associates in their conversion to becoming a registered nurse, such as through the use of personal development plans.52
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
3. 1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Ta rget implementation date: Autumn 2021 3.2 The commitment to 50,000 more nurses is underpinned by a robust costed delivery programme which will be achieved through increased domestic recruitment (including undergraduates, postgraduates, reduced attrition, blended degrees, apprenticeships and nursing associate conversions to registered nurses), increased international recruitment and improved retention. 3.3 The latest UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) data show a 23% increase in placed applicants to nursing and midwifery courses when compared to last year, meaning the department is likely to see more domestically trained nurses complete training in 2023. In contrast, international recruitment has been disrupted, in the short term, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 3.4 The department has responded to these changes by adapting the programme to flex across workstreams, to ensure the maximum supply and the best value for money. The department will publish plans as soon as practicable, taking account of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the programme. 3.5 On national pay, a three-year pay and contract reform deal was agreed in 2018 for all Agenda for Change staff increasing the starting salary for newly qualified nurses by over 12%. Outside of multi-year deals the department plan to rely on the independent NHS Pay Review Body. Pay Review Bodies consider evidence provided by multiple stakeholders including NHS trade unions, system partners and government. In making recommendations, Review Bodies consider affordability and what is needed to recruit, retain and motivate the workforce.