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Press release: NHS Employers response to 2006 NHS workforce census27 Apr 2007 Steve Barnett, Director of NHS Employers said: "After several years of very significant growth we were anticipating a fall in overall staff numbers as the NHS workforce stabilises. Many employers have been reviewing their workforce needs because of new treatments and technology, re-shaping NHS services, provision of more care outside hospital and the need to ensure they stay within budget. "It is important to remember that these figures represent posts taken out of the system rather than people made redundant. The number of actual redundancies in the NHS is small compared with the total number of posts that have been lost through vacancy freezes, reducing the use of agency and temporary staff and redeploying staff. "We had expected a reduction in administrative and managerial posts as a result of PCT and health authority mergers. Decisions to reduce clinical posts are not taken lightly and we know employers are doing all they can to ensure patient care is not compromised and minimise redundancies. "We are pleased to note the increase in numbers of radiographers and healthcare scientists, specialties where staff shortages have persisted over the past few years. The figures also show an increasing number of staff in primary care reflecting the shift of services out of hospitals and an increase in the number of doctors. "Workforce planning has always been a huge challenge in healthcare and steps are already being taken to improve it."
Notes for editors
Contact detailsThe press office provides a comprehensive service to keep journalists informed about the work of NHS Employers. If you have a media enquiry, please contact the press office team:
For out of hours media enquiries, please contact the duty press officer on 07880 500726. Last reviewed 27 Apr 2007 |
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