NHS Staffing Levels — [Philip Hollobone in the Chair]

Noted a high dropout rate at UEA medical school after the government cut nursing bursaries, suggesting that reintroducing the bursary could help increase staffing numbers.

The NHS faces a severe workforce crisis with 132,000 vacancies across the NHS and 40,000 nurse shortages. The MP called for an immediate plan of action from the Government to address these issues.

The hon. Lady makes an incredibly important point about the crisis in staffing levels, highlighting that patients are being neglected and staff overworked.

Expressed appreciation for NHS staff, highlighted the challenge of retaining nurses due to lower wages compared to agency work. Suggested considering alternative training pathways for individuals with lower grades but interest in nursing. Emphasised the importance of addressing GP shortages and improving pay conditions. Cited an ambulance wait case highlighting NHS staffing issues. Raised concerns about a decline in child and adolescent psychiatrists while referrals increase, urging the Minister's assistance. Welcomed additional funding from the autumn Budget but called for discussions with devolved Administrations on better implementation.

Kate Osamor discussed the impact of racism and discrimination on black and minority ethnic (BME) NHS staff, noting that 22.4% of NHS staff are from BME backgrounds but under-represented in senior leadership roles. She cited the 'Shattered Hopes' report which found over half of BME NHS leaders have considered leaving due to experiences of racism, often by colleagues and managers.

Concerned about the severe pressures NHS staff face, Kim Leadbeater shared emails from Eamon and Tracy who work in the NHS. They described feeling dejected, run down, and demoralised due to underfunding over 10 years. Staff are considering leaving because they cannot afford their wages and struggle with staffing wards adequately. The Bronte Birth Centre in her constituency was forced to close temporarily due to a lack of maternity staff.

The hon. Member thanked the lead member for securing the debate, highlighting the issue of future planning for NHS workforce which is lacking staff particularly in mental health and learning disabilities areas. She also mentioned the concerning figure that 215 young people took their lives in 2021.

The NHS is at breaking point due to staff shortages, with 401,537 patients waiting over a year for operations and a significant rise in vacancies. Medical school places fell by 30%, causing thousands of straight-A students to be turned away from medical training.

Paulette Hamilton highlighted the severe staffing shortages in the NHS, noting that 40,000 registered nurses have left the NHS in the past year and 4,700 GPs have been lost over the last decade. She cited an example of a constituent who had to pay £300 for a private MRI scan due to difficulties accessing GP services. Hamilton also pointed out that while there is an expected increase of 4,000 mental health nurses by 2024, more than 12,000 are needed to meet demand.

The NHS is facing a workforce crisis with a vacancy rate of 9.7%, equivalent to 132,139 staff members missing. The member highlighted issues such as outdated equipment and working conditions that affect staffing levels, suggesting solutions like resolving funding squeezes and tackling regulatory burdens. He emphasized the impact of pay restraint on recruitment and retention. The Royal College of Physicians highlighted the poor working conditions for NHS staff, stating that access to basic facilities like hot food and rest is necessary. The MP asked if his hon. Friend agrees with this.

The hon. Member pointed out that NHS professionals are still being trained in silos as they were a hundred years ago, despite medicine having advanced significantly. She suggested revisiting these professional silos to ensure the workforce is fit for future needs. Highlighted the importance of neuroradiologists and their potential to save lives, stressing that staff shortages affect clinical outcomes.

She highlighted the NHS crisis due to understaffing, with a national vacancy rate of 9.7% for doctors and 10% for nurses. She mentioned that funding is still below 2010 levels in real terms and noted issues such as unacceptably long waiting times for GP and dentistry appointments. Peacock cited specific cases like one constituent who had waited almost a year for a neurology appointment, reflecting the wider impact of staff shortages on patient care. She also pointed out that sickness absence among NHS staff is at 7.1% in South Yorkshire.

Mr Bonnar highlighted the strain on the NHS due to various factors, including Brexit, and called for increased funding. He mentioned that Scotland has a shortage in available workforce due to depopulation, necessitating a migration system fit for purpose. The Royal College of General Practitioners reported issues with visa processes leading some international graduates to consider leaving the UK. Mr Bonnar also noted that Scotland had more GPs per head of population than other parts of the UK and committed to increasing GP numbers further.

Ms Owatemi, a former NHS pharmacist and current committee member, outlined the struggles faced by pharmacists including low pay, poor working conditions, and lack of career progression opportunities. She highlighted a study showing nearly a quarter of pharmacists want to leave their current roles due to these issues. Ms Owatemi also discussed cancer waiting times in Coventry, noting only 57% of patients at University Hospital Coventry began treatment within two months of referral compared to the NHS target of 85%. She urged the Government to invest more in the NHS workforce and improve conditions for healthcare professionals.

Expressed gratitude to NHS staff for their hard work during the pandemic. Highlighted issues in dentistry, GP services, care provision delays, housing shortages for healthcare workers, and cancer treatment staffing shortages. Raised concerns over 32% bed-blocking due to lack of post-hospital care packages, potential closures of small rural surgeries, and high percentages of delayed first treatments for cancer patients.