We have responded to the Department of Health and Social Care’s (DHSC) call for evidence on the NHS 10-Year Workforce Plan, emphasising the need for stronger collaboration and clear partnership between universities and the NHS to address workforce challenges.
Key points
Universities must be recognised as central partners in NHS workforce planning, training, and skills development to meet current and future health needs in every region.
Effective delivery of the plan will require joint action from universities, NHS providers, private providers, and regulators (PSRBs) to expand placement capacity, modernise curricula, and support innovation—backed by coordinated funding and streamlined regulation.
The new workforce plan should set ambitious targets for workforce growth and workforce modelling, build on effective local skills partnerships, and prioritise opportunities for learners from diverse backgrounds, including through higher-level apprenticeships and digital routes.
Financial sustainability is a pressing concern, with recent SPG funding cuts threatening university capacity to supply the NHS workforce. UUK calls for secure, growth-oriented investment in health-related teaching and strong partnership levers at both regional and national levels.
Universities play an indispensable role in training the current and future NHS workforce. The 10-Year Workforce Plan is an opportunity to build a resilient, diverse, and innovative pipeline of health professionals through genuine, cross-sector collaboration and sustained investment.
