Health Management and Policy Alert

NHS staff survey national results briefing 2024

NHS Survey Coordination Centre -
The statistical results of the 2024 NHS Staff Survey give invaluable insight into the experiences of over 700,000 people working in the NHS in autumn 2024. It covers subjects such as bullying and discrimination, morale, compassionate leadership, learning, staff engagement and more.

• Briefing
• NHS Survey Coordination Centre - survey results

Action for healthier working lives: final report of the Commission for Healthier Working Lives

Commission for Healthier Working Lives - 

The independent Commission for Healthier Working Lives was established by the Health Foundation to build a consensus for the action needed by government and employers to meet our working-age health challenge. The Commission’s final report sets out the need for a new approach to work and health, outlining seven key recommendations to lay the foundation for sustained long-term change.

• Report
• More detail

Report on changes to member contribution rates calculations for NHS Pension Scheme members in receipt of reduced pay

Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) - 

This report sets out the changes to contribution rates calculations for NHS Pension Scheme members in receipt of reduced pay. This report is a statutory report and has been laid before Parliament.

• Report
• More detail

Government response to NHS Pension Scheme: proposed amendments for April 2025

Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) - 

The DHSC consulted on proposed changes to the NHS Pension Scheme for April 2025. A total of 22 responses were received, which were broadly supportive of the changes proposed. The consultation response therefore confirms that the department will proceed to implement the changes, subject to 4 minor amendments. The amendments clarify deadlines, create consistency between different types of keeping in touch days and take out unnecessary drafting.

• Consultation response
• More detail

Independent review of physician associates and anaesthesia associates: survey of healthcare professionals

Department of Health and Social Care - 

The Leng review of the physician associate (PA) and anaesthesia associate (AA) professions is seeking views from healthcare professionals to understand the day-to-day practice of AAs and PAs, and the development of these roles. This call for evidence closes at 11:59pm on 30 March 2025.

• Call for evidence
• More detail

White paper: reducing pension opt-out rates in the care sector

Care England - 

This paper (produced together with Caunce O’Hara Insurance Brokers Ltd (COHIBL)) addresses the critical issue of high pension opt-out rates within the UK care sector, where more than 1.5 million employees provide essential services to vulnerable populations. Despite the success of auto-enrolment in increasing pension participation across various sectors, the care sector exhibits a higher rate of opt-outs. This trend poses significant risks to the long-term financial security of care workers, many of whom already face challenges related to low wages, job insecurity, and a lack of financial literacy. The paper sets out clear recommendations for reducing pension opt-outs.

• Paper
• Press release

Care workforce and their work-related quality of life: findings on work related quality of life and wellbeing – wave 1

Department of Health and Social Care -
The adult social care workforce survey was designed to collect information on a range of workforce conditions and how they affect work-related quality of life. The insights from the survey aim to support policy development to deliver the government’s ambitions to support the adult social care workforce. These include implementing the first fair pay agreement for adult social care, enhancing skills and building towards a national care service.

• Report
• Department of Health and Social Care - publications

Involving nurse leaders in strategic health workforce planning

International Council of Nurses - 

This publication is a practical guide to including nurses in workforce planning decisions. It provides guidance on how to engage nurses in the process and access the knowledge, insight and expertise of the nursing profession to better shape and drive health workforce plans for the entire health workforce.

• Guide
• Press release

What does the NHS staff survey tell us about the changing behaviours and motivation of health care staff?

Nuffield Trust - 

Over the past decade younger NHS staff have reported lower job satisfaction, higher stress levels, and greater dissatisfaction with pay than their older colleagues, according to this new analysis of over a million NHS staff survey responses. Do these trends reflect changing generational attitudes to work, or are they in fact shaped by wider workforce and societal pressures? This long read explores the relationship between age and staff experience and what it means for workforce retention and policy.

• Long read 

Independent review of physician associates and anaesthesia associates: call for analysis and research

Department of Health and Social Care - 

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has established an independent review of the physician associate (PA) and anaesthesia associate (AA) professions. The Leng review is seeking evidence which contributes towards an understanding of: the relative safety of the PA and AA roles; the contribution to effective and productive multidisciplinary teams; the delivery of good quality and efficient patient care across a range of settings; and patient satisfaction with the roles. This call for evidence closes at 11:59pm on 21 March 2025.

• Call for evidence
• More detail