Recruitment, training and retention of staff, and digital transformation will be central to NHS under new reforms announced by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
The Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid has also set out his intention to merge the body responsible for the education and training of the health workforce, Health Education England (HEE), with NHSE/I, putting long-term planning and strategy for healthcare staff recruitment and retention at the forefront of the national NHS agenda.
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‘To ensure our record NHS investment makes a lasting impact, I am bringing workforce planning and digital transformation into the heart of the NHS,’ said Mr Javid.
‘These reforms will support our recovery from COVID-19 and help us tackle waiting lists to give patients excellent care in years to come. I would like to pay tribute to all our colleagues at HEE, NHS Digital and NHSX for the enormous progress they have made, which we will continue to drive forward with their help.’
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In addition, the Secretary of State has accepted the recommendations of Laura Wade-Gery, Non-Executive Director at NHS England and Chair of NHS Digital, including to merge NHSX and NHS Digital into NHSE/I.
‘Digital and workforce are central to transforming the NHS to tackle the backlog and recover services after the COVID pandemic, as well of course deliver on our Long Term Plan commitments and maintain momentum of the lifesaving NHS COVID vaccination programme, all while looking after thousands of patients in hospital with the virus,’ said Amanda Pritchard, NHS Chief Executive.
‘By coming together in this way, the whole health service can continue progress in delivering these goals.’