Our response to the publication of the interim NHS People Plan

Responding to today’s publication of the interim NHS People Plan, Andrea Sutcliffe, Chief Executive and Registrar at the NMC, said:

“Today’s plan is a welcome step in tackling the improvements required to put the recruitment, retention, training and development for nursing and midwifery professionals on a much-needed stable and secure footing so nurses, midwives and nursing associates can provide safer, better care for people using health and care services. 

“It’s good to see the immediate commitment to increase the number of practice placements – together with a focus on addressing the specific shortages that exist within the vital areas of learning disability, mental health and community nursing.

“Students on placement and other new and returning entrants to the workforce will only succeed if there are sufficient numbers of qualified nurses and midwives with the capacity and capability to support, supervise and assess them. Ensuring existing staff have the necessary post-registration education and development is essential for this to be achieved.

“It’s clear the ambitions set out today are high and no-one can afford for this to be a document gathering dust on a shelf. The NMC will continue working with our key partners and stakeholders and look forward to contributing to the development of the final, fully costed plan in the autumn.

“As a UK regulator, we are mindful that these proposals are for the England system and predominantly focus on the needs of the NHS. It is particularly important that we continue to develop an integrated approach to the health and social care workforce if people using services in all settings are to get the care and support they need and deserve.”

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