The House of Lords Public Services Committee has released its report ‘Fit for the Future? Rethinking the public services workforce.
The report covers a range of public services and the many challenges they face with an ageing population. The Council was delighted to feed into the report by submitting oral and written evidence to the inquiry as well as arranging a visit to Anglia Ruskin University to see simulated learning in action (a full summary of which is in an appendix attached to the report).
The Council is glad that the report highlights the need for “flexibility in the use of technology” and regularly references the visit we arranged to show the important role simulation can play in educating the future healthcare workforce. Recommendations promoting Continuing Professional Development and flexibility in careers accord with the role our members play in the development and retention of healthcare professionals at different stages of their lives and careers.
The report’s recognition that “Staff in sectors including education…are overstretched” is welcome, particularly in light of our concerns at the ageing healthcare education workforce which is not keeping pace with the surge of new students.
The Council agrees that the problems the report highlight are not insurmountable and especially with its call for flexibility from regulators, particularly in light of lessons learnt over the Covid-19 pandemic. We look forward to continuing to engage with the committee to develop and advocate policies that address the long-term challenges faced by the healthcare and healthcare education workforce.