Recruitment of NHS Nurses 2021-04-13
2021-04-13
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from the ongoing challenge of recruiting and retaining enough nurses in the NHS, particularly after the strain caused by the pandemic.
What progress his Department has made on increasing the recruitment of nurses to the NHS. The number of nurses is at an all-time high but the department aims to increase this number further.
NHS nurses have gone above and beyond throughout the pandemic. We are committed to increasing the number of nurses in the NHS by 50,000 over this Parliament through improving retention and increasing domestic supply and international recruitment, and we are on track to do that. The number of nurses in the NHS is at an all-time high of 301,491 full-time equivalent nurses employed in NHS trusts and CCGs.
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Assessment & feedback
While acknowledging the importance of nurse recruitment, the response does not provide specific progress details or timelines.
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The question is prompted by the recognition that NHS staff, especially nurses, have worked tirelessly during the pandemic without breaks or time off. There is a need to ensure they can recover from this strain.
Can Ministers assure me that they will work with NHS England to protect staff holidays and enable and encourage NHS staff to get the rest and recuperation they need as public focus turns towards the NHS backlog?
I completely agree with my hon. Friend that staff must be allowed and supported to recover from the pandemic. We have advised NHS Employers to make sure that staff can carry over annual leave. We are determined that the pace of NHS recovery must also allow staff the rest and recuperation they need.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy