Received from: BDA
Merged into composite C08
Congress welcomes the ambition of the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan but warns it will not succeed unless the government takes immediate action to retain existing staff. The NHS faces over 121,000 vacancies in England alone. Poor pay, work-related stress, and limited progression opportunities continue to drive staff out of the service, undermining delivery of the 10-year plan.
The ambition to prevent illness and tackle inequality must be matched with the investment, workforce planning and infrastructure needed to deliver it. Many of the services mentioned, from personalised care planning to community rehabilitation, require a properly resourced dietetic workforce. Yet right now, vacancies across the profession remain high, and there is insufficient capacity in many areas to meet existing demand, let alone expand provision.
Workforce retention must be a national priority. The latest NHS Staff Survey showed 44.8 per cent of respondents had felt unwell due to work-related stress. Over the past 16 years, many NHS staff have seen a real-terms loss exceeding 20 per cent, fuelling record vacancies and undermining safe staffing.
Congress calls on the UK government to:
i. commit to a funded strategy for fair, above-inflation pay and restore NHS pay to competitive levels
ii. remove barriers to career progression across Agenda for Change, including for allied health professionals
iii. embed flexible working, CPD access, and wellbeing support to reduce burnout and improve job satisfaction
iv. engage in meaningful consultation with recognised trade unions during the implementation of the 10-year plan whilst retaining experienced staff across the NHS
British Dietetic Association
AMENDMENT
Add new bullet after bullet iv.:
“v. ensure that shift of focus from sickness to prevention is properly funded and utilises the skills of the whole NHS workforce and improve working lives.”
bda