MPs to hear how NHS workforce could be reshaped amid shift from hospital care to neighbourhoods
The Health and Social Care Committee will question representatives of different sections of the NHS workforce – including GPs, nurses, pharmacists and others – on addressing the challenges of shifting care from hospitals to neighbourhoods.
Meeting details
The Government has put shifting to a ‘neighbourhood’ health service at the heart of its 10-Year Health Plan to transform the NHS.
There will be questions on how the Government can improve recruitment and retention rates among the healthcare professions, and on whether changes to immigration policy should be implemented to provide visas for qualifying GPs from abroad.
As of 2023, 73% of applications for GP specialist training came from people whose medical qualifications were obtained abroad. Meanwhile, it was reported in September 2024 that one in four district nurses, who attend homes, had left the profession in the previous year.
The Committee is likely to explore ways of tackling chronic staffing issues and the opportunities of more community-focussed health services. MPs may also ask about the training and upskilling of the current workforce and the potential impact of the move on allied health professionals, such as occupational therapists and physiotherapists.