New data from National Health Service (NHS) England reveals that in September 2023, there were 51,245 more nurses than in 2019. The nurse count has risen from 3,00,904 to over 3,52,000, surpassing the government’s goal to recruit 50,000 additional nurses six months ahead of schedule.
This marks the largest continuous growth in the NHS nursing workforce, leading to a substantial increase in appointments, aiding in addressing waiting lists and enhancing patient access.
The NHS Long-Term Workforce Plan focuses on keeping current staff and reforming practices, and doubling adult nurse training by 2031. It includes training enhancements, retention improvements and new support roles for nurses.
The increase in nursing staff, achieved through strategies such as international recruitment and student financial support, led to a 5.6 per cent rise in NHS staff and doctors compared to the previous year.
The NHS Long-Term Workforce Plan, backed by over £2.4 billion, focuses on three priorities — training, retaining and reforming the health workforce. It aims to double adult nurse training places by 2031, adding around 24,000 more nurse and midwife training spots annually, including over 5,000 for mental and learning disability nurses.
The government aims to cut NHS staff turnover by 1,30,000 over 15 years through improved culture and leadership. Flexible options for retirees and streamlined re-entry are part of this effort, expected to result in at least 1,70,000 more nurses by 2036/37. The plan also includes reforms in training and roles to accelerate nursing students’ readiness for safe NHS practice.
