Number of nurses leaving the NHS reaches record high

Using data from NHS Digital, the Nuffield Trust has conducted an analysis of NHS employment figures for the BBC. Their study revealed that over 40,000 nurses have left the NHS in England within the past year. Data shows that the figures are very similar in Scotland. It appears that significant numbers are also leaving in Wales and Northern Ireland, although specific data is not available.

There has been a recent rise in new joiners to the NHS. However, the record number of nurses leaving the NHS is nearly counteracting this increase with a difference of only 4,000.

 

 

Why are nurses leaving the NHS? 

Increasing evidence highlights stress and work-life balance as key reasons for nurses leaving the NHS.

The Nuffield Trust looked at a number of sources of data to gain an indication of the reasons that nurses are leaving the NHS. One of these sources was research by the Nursing and Midwifery Council which suggested work stress is becoming a common reason.

Dr Billy Palmer from the Nuffield Trust stressed his concern that these factors are becoming so common in pushing nurses to make the decision to leave. 

 

 

A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said the NHS will continue to recruit and aim to retain nurses. Details of this will be published soon within a workplace strategy, he said. He also commented that the government has a target to increase the number of nurses working in the NHS in England by 50,000 within this Parliament.

However, the Nuffield Trust has commented that the government could struggle to meet this target due to the rising number of nurses leaving. It has highlighted that action must be taken.

 

 

Here at Consultus, we are saddened by the news that nurses are feeling stress and a lack of balance in their jobs.

We want to help nurses who would like to stay in the profession. With our live-in nursing service, you are able to choose when you work. Our wonderful team of Nurse Co-ordinators are available to support you and with one of our Nurse Co-ordinators being on-call at all times, you are never alone. 

If you would like more information on working as a live-in nurse, please do get in touch with us. We would love to support you to help you feel better in your career.