A report by the Health and Social Care Select Committee, issued today, describes thousands of unfilled roles in the NHS and social care in England including many for occupational therapists and other allied health professions (AHPs). The committee warns that a failure to decisively plug the staffing gap could threaten plans to address the Covid treatment backlog.
We welcome today's findings drawn up by the cross-party committee. It is yet further evidence of a full-blown workforce crisis across social care and the NHS in England. Tackling the workforce crisis must now become a priority and we have identified five key areas for action.
To solve the workforce crisis, we believe that politicians and health leaders must:
- Remember all professions. The contribution made by allied health professionals (AHPs) – including occupational therapists – and others is needed for health and social care to get back on its feet. Concentrating on headline figures for GPs and nurses is understandable, but would mean missing the chance to take a more informed approach.
- Future-proof recruitment and patient care. That means identifying where the workforce can make the most impact to health and social care needs in the future, such as in community-based health, and recruiting accordingly. Prescribing responsibilities should be extended to occupational therapists and other AHPs where they can help reduce pressures on services and improve patient care.
- Tackle the reasons why staff are leaving. Challenge discrimination and bullying head on, provide flexible working patterns, and develop a more supportive culture.
- Open up pathways such as apprenticeships. People from all backgrounds must have the opportunity to train to become health and care professionals. And make sure that the university pathway is affordable, by reducing the financial burden on students.
- Fix social care. The NHS cannot thrive while social care is neglected in comparison. Problems in one affect the other, but issues in social care are more deep-rooted and need fundamental change. This includes a fair deal for social care staff involving improved pay, terms and conditions, training and career progression.
See our asks of the new Prime Minister to make health and social care a key priority of their next government.
More information on the report can be found on the UK Parliament website.
Although the select committee report relates specifically to England, workforce must be a priority across all four UK nations and we continue to work with the governments of and key stakeholders in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to tackle the problems we collectively face.