Whilst work to support existing staff has been in train since before the pandemic, we have increased efforts over the last two and a half years to help ensure that the existing workforce is well supported and looked after. Retaining NHS staff is a priority and the NHS priorities and operational planning guidance 2023/24 is clear that the wellbeing of the workforce is crucial. The 2020 NHS People Plan sets out a comprehensive range of actions to improve staff retention. It provides a strong focus on creating a modern, compassionate and inclusive NHS culture by strengthening health and wellbeing, equality and diversity, culture and leadership and flexible working. The government has recently published Our Plan for Patients, which sets out ministers’ priorities for the health and social care system for this winter, and next. The plan contains a number of commitments in relation to supporting and expanding the workforce, including: increasing pension flexibilities to retain senior clinicians, ensuring that we use staff to the full extent of their professional qualifications, making it more straightforward for staff train overseas to register, and expanding our recruitment of social care workers, domestically and internationally.