Eighteenth Report - NHS nursing workforce
Select Committee
Public Accounts Committee
HC 408
23 September 2020
Government response
Treasury minutes: Government response to the Committee of Public Accounts on the Eighteenth report from Session 2019-21 · published 3 Feb 2021
Recommendations & Conclusions
3 results
19
Conclusion
Acknowledged
The Department and HEE highlighted the important role that apprenticeships and nursing associates play in...
Conclusion
The Department and HEE highlighted the important role that apprenticeships and nursing associates play in widening access to the nursing profession, by enabling people to earn money as they train. In the case of nursing associates, which is a separate …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government stated its agreement with the committee's (non-existent) recommendation and reiterated that apprenticeships and nursing associate conversions are key components of its robust, costed programme to deliver 50,000 more nurses. The response did not explicitly address the committee's observations about the challenges in scaling these routes or targets being off-track.
HM Treasury
View Details
27
Conclusion
Acknowledged
NHSE&I noted that over 32,000 nurses stepped up to support the NHS during the COVID-19...
Conclusion
NHSE&I noted that over 32,000 nurses stepped up to support the NHS during the COVID-19 outbreak, including former nurses and over 20,000 students. However, it acknowledged that there needs to be better local systems for retaining these returners, such as …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the observation, outlining its ongoing assessment of COVID-19's impact on nurse recruitment and retention, and its existing health and wellbeing support for staff, including the development of mental health hubs, but does not specifically detail actions for retaining returners or addressing lost student placement hours.
HM Treasury
View Details
28
Conclusion
Acknowledged
NHSE&I acknowledged that COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on Black, Asian and minority ethnic...
Conclusion
NHSE&I acknowledged that COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact on Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) staff and admitted that there is variability in how well these staff have been supported during the pandemic. In response to our questions 64 …
Read more
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledged the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on BAME staff and stated that work is already underway to assess these challenges as part of the 50,000 nursing target and the People Plan. It also described the comprehensive health and wellbeing support package offered to all NHS staff.
HM Treasury
View Details