People matter: tomorrow's workforce for tomorrow's world
1Emeritus Professor of Health Policy, University of West London, London, UK.
London Journal of Primary Care
|May 8, 2015
Summary
The National Health Service (NHS) needs to better link workforce development with service and financial planning. This is crucial for safe, quality patient care amidst demographic shifts and technological advancements.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Management
- Health Services Research
- Workforce Development
Background:
- The National Health Service (NHS) employs 1.3 million people, with up to 70% of its budget allocated to staffing.
- The NHS has faced criticism for failing to integrate workforce planning with service and financial strategies.
- Inadequate staffing has been linked to organizational failures within the NHS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the critical need for aligning workforce development with evolving healthcare service delivery and financial realities.
- To address the challenges posed by demographic changes, technological advancements, and the need for new skills within the NHS workforce.
- To advocate for a clear vision for the future structure and development of the NHS, emphasizing integrated care and whole-system orchestration.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of current NHS workforce planning and development practices.
- Review of criticisms from the Health Select Committee regarding the linkage of workforce, service, and financial planning.
- Examination of organizational issues including employer culture, discrimination, and whistleblower protection.
Main Results:
- The NHS has historically been "relaxed" about workforce development, despite significant investment and changing demands.
- A disconnect exists between workforce planning and service/financial planning, leading to inadequate staffing.
- Organizational issues such as bullying, discrimination, and silencing whistleblowers persist.
Conclusions:
- Effective workforce development is essential for delivering safe, quality patient care and requires integration with service and financial planning.
- The NHS must adapt to demographic changes and technological progress by developing new skills and fostering a supportive work environment.
- Future NHS structure likely involves integrated community services with specialist support, necessitating clinicians and managers capable of whole-system orchestration.
Keywords:
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