Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 27
27
NHSE&I noted that over 32,000 nurses stepped up to support the NHS during the COVID-19...
Conclusion
NHSE&I noted that over 32,000 nurses stepped up to support the NHS during the COVID-19 outbreak, including former nurses and over 20,000 students. However, it acknowledged that there needs to be better local systems for retaining these returners, such as to establish how many wish to return to the NHS and in what capacity.70 We were also told by a number of stakeholders that some students have lost clinical placement hours due to the pandemic, and some of those who stepped up to work for the NHS had placements curtailed or cancelled.71 HEE said that it was seeking to ensure that students could still gain experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is prioritising those due to graduate this year and has estimated that 20% of these students may have difficulty completing the clinical practice hours they need to finish their nursing degree on time.72 The Council of Deans of Health and NHS Employers highlighted that this additional pressure on placement capacity will be compounded by extra pressures resulting from a backlog of routine work caused by COVID-19, as well as the risk of another peak in COVID-19 cases.73
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.