The NHS is at a really critical point. The government has kicked off a consultation process to prepare its 10-year health plan, and nurses are in the best position to describe how healthcare will be delivered in the future. As the biggest category of staff in health and social care, nurses take up an extremely important role in the NHS because they provide most of the direct patient care. People should listen to them so that the NHS can eventually flourish in the long run.
At the heart of a new approach to care for the patient lies the nurse, and the expertise they provide will give invaluable input into how healthcare services can be improved in the best way. This consultation will open up an opportunity for every nurse wanting to influence short- and long-term change across the NHS to address key issues affecting care for patients and the wider nursing profession.
The most pressing challenge faced by the NHS today is the acute nursing workforce shortage. Widespread staff shortages and over-stretched teams are not just a threat to patient safety but a direct assault on the quality of care being delivered. For many years, nursing staff have been voicing their demands to put an end to corridor care and to ensure adequate support for mental health for healthcare professionals. This pertains particularly to nurses who are exposed to unbearable pressures within their day-to-day professional practices. These nurses required more attention and care.
Additional Read: WHO Report: Over 5 Million Nurse & Midwife Jobs Unfilled by 2030
The latest healthcare reforms recommend addressing three key areas: a shift from hospital to community care, digital transformation, and an emphasis on prevention rather than cure. These changes are crucial for making the NHS modern and better for the patient, but this cannot be achieved without fulfilling the severe shortages of community nurses.
The stark reality is that the NHS is facing a severe shortage of nurses. Over the past decade, there has been a significant decline in district nurses, health visitors, and school nurses. The figures have plummeted from 45% to 32% and 31% between 2009 and 2024. Without immediate government investment and action in the nursing workforce, the situation will only deteriorate. Projections suggest that by 2029, the number of community nurses could be less than half of what it was two decades ago.
For the NHS to succeed in the coming decade, the government should listen to and act on the source of concern presented by nursing professionals and take a decisive step to create a stable nursing workforce. All this can be achieved with more nurses being hired, kept in their posts, and given the right opportunities to grow, especially for community nurses. Nurses can lead the changes in healthcare if they acquire enough support and power to do so.
Wrapping Up
This consultation on the NHS’s 10-year plan is not just an opportunity but a platform for healthcare professional’s views and expert opinions to be heard. By participating, nurses can ensure that their profession is not just acknowledged but valued and that the right reforms are put into place to protect patient safety and enhance healthcare delivery.
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