NHS long term workforce plan

NHS England has published the NHS long term workforce plan. It sets out clear proposals for government and the practical steps to ensure the NHS has the number of staff it needs across the country with the tools they need to deliver the best care possible. The certainty of confirmed funding allows actions locally, regionally, and nationally.

Some of the key highlights for primary care from the plan include:

• Further expanding the number of GP training places available and building on the success of the additional roles reimbursement scheme (ARRS) with the aim of increasing the number of non-GP direct patient care staff and primary care nurses.
• Pharmacists will benefit from an expansion of training places and of clinical role, and consideration of a pharmacist degree apprenticeship. For pharmacy technicians, there will be growth and apprenticeships will be part of this, and an expansion of clinical role.
• The number of training places available for dentists, dental therapists, and hygienists will be expanded. The plan commits to building on investment made in 2022/23 for postgraduate dental specialty training, focused on areas currently underserved by existing provision, which will improve access to specialist dental services in future.