NHS Faces Recruitment Crisis Threatening Planned Reforms

Experts warn that staff shortages, burnout, and declining domestic and international recruitment jeopardize the future of the UK health service.

The number of registered nurses and midwives in the UK has reached a record high of 841,367, but recruitment is slowing, and retention remains a significant issue.
Experts report that nearly 28% of nurses and midwives have five years of experience or less, raising concerns about workforce inexperience and its impact on productivity and patient care.
International recruitment, a key driver of workforce growth in recent years, has declined sharply, with a 16.6% drop in new joiners and a 33% increase in leavers compared to last year.
Domestic recruitment is also struggling, with fewer student nurses entering the profession and calls for measures like student loan forgiveness to attract and retain homegrown talent.
The Royal College of Nursing and other experts have warned that without urgent action, including addressing low pay and burnout, the NHS reforms will be unachievable and patient safety will be at risk.