Responding to new research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) on the NHS workforce plan, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, Pat Cullen, said:
"These independent experts are laying down the challenge to the government and all parties over the significant boost needed - there are some difficult decisions and the service can ill-afford cans to be kicked further down the road.
“It is vital that the government makes the NHS a good workplace that will attract the best people. And fair pay is a fundamental part of this - otherwise we’ll see nurses continue to leave in their droves.
“Failing to provide the investment that the Workforce Plan needs will put the entire plan in danger of collapse, add to the record backlog of care and put patient care at even greater risk.
“The funding must not come at the expense of frontline services.”
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Notes to editors
The full report 'Implications of the NHS workforce plan' can be read here
