17 March 2017

Problems with staff recruitment and retention in the NHS have been put down to low morale among the workforce and poor pay and rewards by most NHS staff in a recent survey.

As many as 92% of respondents to Wilmington Healthcare UK’s poll of 2,000 NHS workers said that low morale is causing problems with staff retention, particularly following repeat structural reorganisations of the NHS by the Coalition and Tory governments.

Poor pay and rewards were also named by 72% of workers as a reason for staff to jump ship, and 48% thought staff recruitment and retention would be harder post-Brexit.

In the future, NHS workers need more training and development, according to 85% of those polled, and 78% said more flexible working and career progression opportunities are required.

Unison’s Head of Health, Christina McAnea, told the Press Association: “Constant reorganisation of the NHS combined with years of low pay have seen staff morale plummet.

“Staff are leaving the NHS in droves, and the uncertainty over EU workers staying is only making matters worse.

“Ministers should stop taking health employees for granted and give them a decent wage rise.”