Received from: CSP
Congress notes the plans set out by the government in June to start to address the acute staffing crisis in the NHS but expresses real concern that the funding to realise the plans will not materialise. The “Interim” NHS People Plan for England spells out how the workforce will be supported and developed over the next 10 years through:
i. actions to increase the number of staff
ii. a commitment to create inclusive and positive workplace cultures, tackle
violence and bullying and offer greater access to flexible working
iii. a stronger emphasis on apprenticeships, education, training and professional development
iv. staff and unions engagement in shaping the final plans.
Realising the plan requires government plugging a huge funding gap that includes:
a. Health Education England has faced annual budget cuts in recent years but it is estimated to need at least £900m extra annually to recruit and train staff.
b. A £1.5bn shortfall in public health budgets needed to help prevent illness and encourage healthier behaviours, meaning unsustainable pressures on the NHS and staff will persist.
c. Without a £4.4bn boost for social care, older people’s inability to access it will add to the workloads of NHS staff.
d. A similar sum for capital spending otherwise staff will be without the equipment they need to deliver effective patient care and working in ageing, cramped and ill-suited buildings.
Congress calls on the TUC to work with affiliates to campaign ahead of the autumn statement to ensure an adequate and sustainable funding settlement for the NHS and social care.
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
AMENDMENT
- In paragraph 2, add to sub-paragraph a.:
“The Health Foundation, King’s Fund and Nuffield Trust report a reduction in
national spending on education and training, from 5 per cent of health spending in 2006/07 to 3 per cent in 2018/19 (equal to a shortfall of £2.9bn).”
Royal College of Midwives