The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is seeking views to inform the development of the 10 year workforce plan, it has said.
In a call for evidence, the DHSC said it was primarily seeking views from healthcare organisations and those with expertise in workforce planning.
It said that this was not a formal consultation on specific proposals but would instead be an ‘opportunity to provide views on the government’s plans for the next decade and to share examples and case studies that will support delivery’.
The call for evidence said: ‘Instead of asking “how many staff do we need to maintain our current care model over the next 10 years?”, we are asking “given our reform plan, and our commitment to a sustainable NHS, what workforce do we need, what should they do, where should they be deployed and what skills do they need to deliver better care for patients and citizens?”’
It said that the approach to delivering the vision included creating a new culture, building a workforce fit for the future, having the right skills in the right places and working in a digital first service.
The DHSC added that it was seeking evidence that would contribute to an understanding of the professions, roles and skills needed to implement the three shifts, but also how these specific professions could be impacted by the shifts.
It said: ‘As we said in the 10 Year Health Plan, healthcare work will look very different in 10 years, and we will need a very different kind of workforce strategy.
‘This will mean a departure from the 2023 projections in the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, which were modelled on the system as it was at that time. Instead of a mere numbers game, this workforce plan will focus on getting the right staff in the right places – staff who are better treated, more motivated, have better training and more scope to develop their careers. The NHS will be not only the country’s biggest employer but its best.’
The 6-week call for evidence closes on 7 November 2025.
Earlier this month, health leaders urged the Government to attach funding to ‘any priorities’ set by the upcoming 10 year workforce plan.
The plan, which the Government was initially due to publish this summer, is now due later this year.
