The NHS is not in a position to lose staff. Government commitments to deliver 50,000 more nurses, not to mention thousands more GPs, mental health professionals and physiotherapists, are dependent on improvements in staff retention. The vision for recovering elective services and bringing down unacceptably long waiting times for vital treatments depends on those same people.
But many NHS staff have faced almost unimaginable difficulties during the pandemic, and many studies have reported increased rates of depression, anxiety and severe stress, alongside a range of other serious issues. All the evidence suggests this is leading to more staff choosing to leave the health service.
The pragmatic case for taking the health of staff seriously is indisputable – as is the moral case that an organisation that is all about caring for patients should also care for its staff.
So, how worried should we be about NHS staff health and wellbeing, and what can be done to address serious concerns?