Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 26
26
The Royal College of Nursing noted that, to retain nurses who worked during the pandemic,...
Conclusion
The Royal College of Nursing noted that, to retain nurses who worked during the pandemic, it will be essential to provide access to specialised mental health support, carry out risk assessments for staff and ensure people are able to take rest breaks and annual leave.66 NHSE&I told us that it has made a free mental health helpline available to all NHS and social care staff and is providing practical support, such as free tea and coffee.67 It highlighted that flexible working and better local leadership and line management are also key to retaining staff in the longer term. However, it recognised that there is currently variability in the quality of leadership and so it is expanding the number of places on its leadership academy and providing access to line management training for every line manager in the NHS. It said that it would be looking to retain some of the innovations that have helped improve the work-life-balance of staff during the COVID-19 outbreak, such as better use of technology and more flexible or remote working.68 The first part of the People Plan, published in July, covers improvements to staff support and leadership culture, as well as highlighting service innovations that have taken place over the last few months.69
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.