Transforming Leadership in the NHS: Long-Term Workforce Plan

The NHS is undergoing a significant transformation in leadership and workforce development to ensure a sustainable and inclusive healthcare system for the future. We welcomed key figures Joe Smith, Senior Policy Advisor at NHS England, and Caroline Chipperfield, Director of Leadership Development and Delivery, at the NHS Leadership Academy, to our UK Healthcare Workforce Conference 2024. They highlighted the strategies and frameworks being implemented to achieve these goals. Watch the full presentation above, with an introduction from the chair Dr Wen Wang, Associate Professor of Human Resources Management, University of Leicester. A summary of the talk is also given in the article below.

Latest National Updates and Insights into the NHS Long-Term Workforce Plan

By Joe Smith, Senior Policy Adviser, Workforce, Training and Education, NHS England

The long-term workforce plan, unveiled last year, aims to place the NHS workforce on a sustainable footing. This comprehensive assessment marks the first extensive evaluation since the NHS Plan of 2000. The plan outlines the current and future staffing needs, considering both headline numbers and the essential skills required to meet the evolving demographic demands and healthcare expectations of the population.

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The workforce plan is built on three main themes: training, retaining, and reforming the workforce. It emphasises the importance of innovation and new working methods to benefit the workforce and improve population health. By addressing these areas, the plan aims to close the gap between staff demand and supply, projected to be between 360,000 in the next 15 years without intervention.

Key outcomes of the plan include ensuring the workforce is sufficient to meet demand, maximising the workforce’s potential, and attracting and retaining a highly engaged workforce. The plan also focuses on creating varied and interesting NHS careers, offering development opportunities, and making the NHS a desirable place to work.

Building a Compassionate Working Culture: Guidance for Leadership

By Caroline Chipperfield, Director of Leadership Development and Delivery, NHS Leadership Academy

Caroline Chipperfield shared insights on leadership development in the NHS. She emphasised the importance of the People Plan and the newly published Board Leadership Competency Framework. These initiatives set standards for leaders, promoting equality, inclusion, and reducing healthcare inequalities.

The leadership approach is based on three concepts: heart (compassion), head (curiosity), and hands (collaboration). This framework is designed for everyone in the health and care system, from senior leaders to frontline staff. It encourages behaviours that foster inclusion, kindness, continuous improvement, and teamwork.

The People Promise, a key component of the People Plan, commits to creating a compassionate, inclusive culture that rejects discrimination, bullying, and violence. It focuses on ensuring a safe, healthy work environment, where everyone’s voice counts, and continuous learning and development are prioritised. Flexible working arrangements are also crucial to balance work and personal life.

The new Board Leadership Competency Framework includes six domains: driving high-quality outcomes, setting strategy, promoting equality, ensuring robust governance, creating a positive culture, and building trusted relationships. These competencies align with the leadership principles and are essential for effective leadership in the NHS.

Implementing the Vision

Implementing these strategies involves comprehensive appraisals that assess both what leaders do and how they do it. Feedback on performance and behaviour is crucial, and building inclusive, compassionate cultures where feedback is valued and relationships are based on trust is essential. Addressing poor behaviour and discrimination is vital for creating the right environment.

Overall, the NHS is committed to transforming its leadership and workforce to ensure a sustainable, inclusive, and high-quality healthcare system for the future. By focusing on comprehensive workforce planning, leadership development, and fostering a supportive culture, the NHS aims to attract, retain, and develop talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, ultimately improving the care provided to the population.

This was presented at our UK Healthcare Workforce Conference 2024. For more healthcare insights please see our latest UK Healthcare Workforce Event: Recruitment, Retention and Wellbeing, more information is below.

The UK Healthcare Workforce Event: Recruitment, Retention and Wellbeing

Attend The UK Healthcare Workforce Event to learn from experts about retaining and improving the NHS workforce

• High-level keynotes will provide insights into the latest national updates from the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan and Developing Wrap-Around Staff Wellbeing Support Systems
• The event covers best practices case studies in recruitment, retention, mental health support, and inclusion and diversity.
• Network with senior colleagues, discuss shared challenges and learn practical strategies for workforce improvement through keynote speeches and interactive sessions.