NHS staff crisis concerns exceed cash worries, think tank says

Nigel Edwards, chief executive of the Nuffield Trust think tank has warned that staff shortages are a greater risk to the NHS than its financial problems.

Edwards claimed that the staff crisis, disputes with government and incidences of bullying were resulting in a ‘toxic mix’ that could irreparably break staff’s affinity with the NHS, putting its future at risk.

The warning comes after tensions have risen between the workforce and central government, following a series of strikes by junior doctors in England and protests regarding plans to scrap bursaries for midwives and nurses in training.

Edwards added that the industrial unrest was occurring at a dangerous time, with the PAC reporting looming staff shortages, showing the NHS was short of about 50,000 staff out of a front-line workforce of just over 800,000.

Siva Anandaciva, of NHS Providers, which represents NHS trusts, agreed with the concerns. He said: "This is a pivotal time for the NHS, with extreme financial and capacity challenges putting extra pressure on staff. Perhaps inevitably, staff morale can take a battering."