Fewer NHS workers are leaving the health service
NHS staff leaving the health service is at its lowest level in over a decade.
Retention schemes in the North West and across the country have helped reduce the number of workers leaving the NHS.
In the North West, one in 10 (10 per cent) hospital and community healthcare workers left the NHS in the 12 months up to September 2024.
This is nearly 2,046 fewer than in the same period up to September 2022 when just under one in eight (11.8 per cent) left the health service.
These figures are similar to those across England – the proportion is the lowest since the pandemic when the leavers rate nationally fell to 9.2 per cent, and the second lowest since 2010 when the rate was at 10 per cent.
The fall in the number of leavers has been supported by an initial two-year programme aimed at finding new ways to improve retention in the NHS.
A new review published on Monday, March 3, of the NHS's People Promise staff retention initiative found that the number of leavers fell by an average of 11.8 per cent for organisations involved in the pilot – with those using more interventions improving their leaver rates the most.
The programme, which has been led by NHS England since April 2022, supported 23 NHS organisations and has since been expanded to support a further 116 organisations – including more mental health and community trusts, as well as primary care and ambulance services.
Around 4,500 staff members were supported to stay in the health service thanks to the programme.
The report found that efficient use of e-rostering, supporting flexible working and flexible retirement, and local listening sessions for staff had the 'biggest impact' on improvements to leaver rates.
Chris Cutts, director of workforce training and education at NHS England North West, said: "We're very proud of the NHS organisations in the North West that have done a huge amount to improve the working environment for staff and we're now seeing the impact – with nearly 2,046 fewer staff leaving the health service in the last year.
"It's great to see this initiative reaping in the results to help keep thousands of staff in the workforce.
"There's still a lot to be done and we will carry on to ensure people receive the best care possible."
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