Kings Fund, 29 April 2015
- Using national statistics, key publications and insights gained from interviews with expert stakeholders, this paper describes what is happening in the NHS workforce now in three key areas: mental health, general practice and community nursing.
- Key findings: There are major disconnects between strategic goals and workforce trends.
- The greater strategic priority given to mental health has not translated into staff numbers on the ground.
- The rate of increase in the number of GPs has been dramatically outstripped by increases in the medical workforce in secondary care.
- No increase in key staff groups in community services except in areas with specific national targets.
- The information needed to guide workforce planning locally and nationally has not kept pace with the growing plurality of providers delivering NHS-commissioned services. There are large data gaps on primary and community care, use of agency and bank staff, vacancy rates, and independent and voluntary sector providers.
