Commenting on the release of the NHS Workforce Plan, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, Pat Cullen, said:
"On the back of this plan, I make an offer to work with all parties on its urgent implementation and help to fill in any blanks. While it is a long-term plan, the workforce growth could hardly come quickly enough.
"Detail to underpin these ambitious numbers will be key to the success of the first NHS workforce plan alongside similar planning for social care and the wider health and care system.
"Targets alone will not deliver the staff that the NHS needs to be able to care for patients now. Nursing leaders would have wished to see greater reference to patient safety challenges and recognition of how current shortages are impacting on staff and retention at present.
“While expanding places is key, it requires the experienced nurses to support students during their education. The responsibility to expand training must not fall on local health systems before central government addresses key issues like inadequate pay and funding."
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