NMC responds to the NHS England’s Long Term Workforce Plan

Andrea Sutcliffe, NMC Chief Executive and Registrar, said:

“Nursing and midwifery are rightly at the heart of this plan. Their professional skills and compassion make a tremendous difference to people’s lives. Investing the time, money and effort needed to ensure we have a growing, capable and confident nursing and midwifery workforce is the right thing to do.

“There’s much to welcome. The firm commitment to nursing and midwifery as graduate professions is a solid foundation to build from. Increasing education opportunities and diversifying the routes to qualification through degree apprenticeships means more people will be ready to join our register to meet rising demand. Expanding the numbers of health visitors, school nurses and district nurses will help deliver care and support where people need it most, in their communities.

“It’s important the plan doesn’t stop there, and it’s good to see this acknowledged. Supporting nursing and midwifery professionals throughout their careers is essential and the commitment to continuing professional development is both welcome and necessary. To reap the benefits of the ambitions set out in this plan nurses, midwives and nursing associates need to be valued and supported, their diversity celebrated and the discrimination and racism some face, resolutely tackled.

“There’s still a gap and that gap is social care. This plan for the NHS demonstrates that one is needed for social care more than ever before.”

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