05 June 2023
Arthritis Action has joined over 30 health charities, professional bodies, unions and the NHS Confederation to urge the Prime Minister to publish a funded workforce plan for healthcare in England. The organisations have warned the Prime Minister that his promises to improve the NHS will not be met unless the workforce crisis is addressed.
The workforce plan was originally earmarked for publication in Spring 2022 but has still not been published. Media speculation suggests that there is a disagreement between the Treasury and Department for Health and Social Care on the scale of the staffing needed for the NHS and other sectors.
The letter, which was coordinated by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), makes it clear that there are mass vacancies and insufficient numbers of staff to meet current and future needs across all sectors, professions, specialties, condition pathways and services.
The signatories have warned the Government that it will take time to resolve this situation. Every day of delay in committing to action pushes back when patients will see the improvements they deserve.
It is estimated that an additional 12,000 physiotherapists are required to meet service needs across the NHS, independent and third sectors.
Arthritis Action’s CEO, who is a signatory of the letter, said: “There is an urgent need for a funded workforce plan for healthcare in Britain. Without a clear plan in place, promises to improve the NHS will not be met. The longer we leave this issue, the more patients will needlessly suffer. It is time for the Prime Minister to prioritize the health and wellbeing of the public and take action to address the staffing shortages across the NHS and all healthcare sectors.”
Read the full letter to the Prime Minister here.