Workforce Reform Advisory Group

This group discuss the reform ambitions of the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan for England.
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NHS Employers Workforce Reform Advisory Group was formed in January 2024 and brings together colleagues from outside of government and the NHS arm's-length bodies to discuss the reform ambitions of the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan for England to support its delivery. We are committed to ensure that it improves patient care across the whole pathway.

We recognise that the reform ambitions within the plan:

  • require engagement with staff to listen and respond to questions, concerns and harness opportunities
  • need good communications to inform the public of relevant changes 
  • have to deliver sustainable change, informed by local priorities
  • need a focus on actions beyond the financial.

Our vision is to be a group that contributes to the workforce reform debate in a constructive and evidence-based way. 

It will bring together leaders and educators to advocate for the priorities of the plan and to work with others to provide timely and credible advice and input into policy, strategy and implementation decision making by relevant stakeholders.

The group is co-chaired by: 

  • Danny Mortimer, Chief Executive, NHS Employers
  • Professor Andrew Goddard, consultant gastroenterologist, University of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

We have identified the following five areas of priority to influence positive change: 

  • Make the case for investment in advanced clinical practice and new roles in enabling properly developed and supported multi-professional health and social care teams.
  • Champion growing training and education capacity and innovation, helping employers focus on learning in their teams to enhance capability and adaptability and to support career development. 
  • Understand and support key enablers for change including digital, and capability development.
  • Work towards resolving the planning dissonance between the long-term needs of the population and the mounting short-term financial pressures.
  • Continue to call for integrated planning and consistency across employers and systems with attention paid to all services and parts of the workforce, including our colleagues in social care.