Guidance for retaining doctors in late-stage career

NHS England, in collaboration with the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, has published a new resource called, Retaining doctors in late stage career guidance.  

The guidance provides suggestions for systems and employers around the strategies that could help retain experienced doctors in the late stage of their career. 

It highlights why doctors retire, what motivates them to stay working and the benefits of an older medical workforce.

It is recognised doctors in late-stage career have a wealth of skills and expertise that is critical in ensuring the delivery of high quality, safe services for patients.

The NHS workforce data demonstrates that the profile of the medical workforce is aging:

•    22 per cent of medical staff aged 50 and over
•    12 per cent over the age of 55.

The data also shows doctors retire from the NHS workforce much earlier compared to the average retirement age across the UK.

The guidance aligns with the NHS People Promise and covers 10 recommendations to consider, including retirement conversations, new ways of working and advice on pensions. Although these 10 recommendations are known enablers of retention, it should be recognised that there is no single solution to improving retention. It is important multiple practices are implemented to ensure doctors in late-stage career are supported and encouraged to stay and stay well in the NHS workforce.

While this guidance is focused on doctors in late-stage career, many of the principles and recommendations will be applicable to the wider NHS workforce.