The Council of Deans of Health has joined with the Russell Group, GuildHE, London Higher, Medical Schools Council, Dental Schools Council, Pharmacy Schools Council, MillionPlus, Universities UK and University Alliance to call for closer collaboration between health and education and a better acknowledgement of the crucial role universities and colleges play in delivering the workforce needed to meet the aspirations of the 10 Year Health Plan for England.

In a joint letter to Wes Streeting, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, the organisations call for the delay in the 10 Year Workforce Plan to be an opportunity for closer engagement of our members and highlights a range of areas we can work better on together. This follows on from the Council’s submission to the Plan as well as previous calls with our partners for a cross-government taskforce and better join-up between education and health across government.

Responding to the letter, Ed Hughes, CEO of the Council of Deans of Health said:

“A sustainable NHS and social care workforce depends on a financially secure healthcare education sector, resourced to provide the high-quality education and training needed by current and future nurses, midwives and allied health professionals.

The workforce plan provides an opportunity to work closer together so our members can continue to deliver the opportunity of healthcare careers that benefit students, their communities and our NHS. Only by working in partnership to ensure the incentives across both the health and educations systems are aligned for students, education providers and health employers will we be able to meet aspirations of the 10 Year Health Plan.”