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NHS turns to Mumsnet to fill nurse vacancies | NHS turns to Mumsnet to fill nurse vacancies |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The NHS in England will turn to Mumsnet to help recruit nurses as part of a package of measures to fill vacancies in the health service. | The NHS in England will turn to Mumsnet to help recruit nurses as part of a package of measures to fill vacancies in the health service. |
NHS bosses see the online parenting chatroom and website as a crucial partner to entice nurses who have left the profession, to rejoin it. | NHS bosses see the online parenting chatroom and website as a crucial partner to entice nurses who have left the profession, to rejoin it. |
It is one of a number of steps unveiled in the interim People Plan. | It is one of a number of steps unveiled in the interim People Plan. |
The report sets the ambition of recruiting an extra 40,000 nurses over the next five years. | The report sets the ambition of recruiting an extra 40,000 nurses over the next five years. |
It aims to do this through a combination of: | It aims to do this through a combination of: |
The plan for the link-up with Mumsnet has yet to be finalised, but is understood to involve promoting the opportunities that exist to go back to nursing. | The plan for the link-up with Mumsnet has yet to be finalised, but is understood to involve promoting the opportunities that exist to go back to nursing. |
A national return-to-practice scheme was set up in 2014 and is now being expanded. It offers catch-up training and a route back for nurses and support staff who have let their professional registrations lapse. | A national return-to-practice scheme was set up in 2014 and is now being expanded. It offers catch-up training and a route back for nurses and support staff who have let their professional registrations lapse. |
We want a 'modern, caring and exciting workplace' | We want a 'modern, caring and exciting workplace' |
While the plan focuses heavily on nurses, it also acknowledges more doctors and support staff will also be needed. | While the plan focuses heavily on nurses, it also acknowledges more doctors and support staff will also be needed. |
It comes amid mounting concern about the number of vacancies in the health service. | It comes amid mounting concern about the number of vacancies in the health service. |
The 40,000 nurses target would only be enough to fill the current number of unfilled nurse posts. | The 40,000 nurses target would only be enough to fill the current number of unfilled nurse posts. |
The plan sets a target of reducing the overall vacancy rate for all staff to 5% by 2028 - it is currently over 8%. | The plan sets a target of reducing the overall vacancy rate for all staff to 5% by 2028 - it is currently over 8%. |
Dido Harding, chair of NHS Improvement, which is leading the work on the People Plan, said it was clear there were "challenges" with staff. | Dido Harding, chair of NHS Improvement, which is leading the work on the People Plan, said it was clear there were "challenges" with staff. |
"I want front-line NHS staff to know we have heard their concerns about the pressures they face and we are determined to address them. | "I want front-line NHS staff to know we have heard their concerns about the pressures they face and we are determined to address them. |
"The NHS needs more staff. But that, on its own, is not enough. | "The NHS needs more staff. But that, on its own, is not enough. |
"We need to change the way people work in the NHS and create a modern, caring and exciting workplace." | "We need to change the way people work in the NHS and create a modern, caring and exciting workplace." |
Health Secretary Matt Hancock added: "We must make the NHS an employer to be proud of." | Health Secretary Matt Hancock added: "We must make the NHS an employer to be proud of." |
'Ducking the big challenges' | 'Ducking the big challenges' |
But shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said that the plan was "ducking the big challenges". | But shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said that the plan was "ducking the big challenges". |
He said the bursary for nursing students should be restored and legislation was needed to ensure safe staffing levels on wards. | He said the bursary for nursing students should be restored and legislation was needed to ensure safe staffing levels on wards. |
Anita Charlesworth, of the Health Foundation think tank, said staffing was the "make or break issue for the NHS". | Anita Charlesworth, of the Health Foundation think tank, said staffing was the "make or break issue for the NHS". |
But she said health leaders were operating with "one hand tied behind their back", as it was not yet clear how the plan would be funded. | But she said health leaders were operating with "one hand tied behind their back", as it was not yet clear how the plan would be funded. |
A full People Plan is to be published by the end of the year, once the government has announced its spending plans. | A full People Plan is to be published by the end of the year, once the government has announced its spending plans. |
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