- 21 January 2021
- 2 min read
Covid-19 Didn’t Bring Retired Nurses Back – But It Is Highlighting A Deeper Problem
Subscribe
Campaign failed due to poor administration, not a lack of willingness from nursesNHS England has revealed only 1,007 former nurses out of 71,000 returned to work last summer while Covid-sickness absence left hospitals with a net drop of 3,694 full-time nurses.
According to a recently published NHS report, only 1,007 eligible former nurses out of a total of 71,000 returned to work during the first peak in COVID-19 hospitalisations.
Meanwhile, sickness caused by COVID-19 actually left hospitals with a net drop of 3694 full-time nurses.
It’s also been suggested that thousands more applied to return, but were prevented by the complication of the process and so-called ‘red tape’.
This suggests the government’s much-advocated attempt to bring back retired nurses did not succeed.
Administrative errors lead to frontline shortages
According to the report, the main reason the campaign failed was poor administration, rather than a lack of willingness from former nurses.
Firstly, data was lacking on the numbers of nurses actually needed, as well as the skillsets that were especially in demand.
But the bulk of the criticism was reserved for consultancy firm Capita, who the project was outsourced to.
In some cases, for example, it took the firm 26 days to hand nurses’ information to the relevant trusts. This report offers more ammunition to the many critics who are unhappy with how the government has managed recruitment during the pandemic.
Call in the military
Shortly after the report was released, some NHS trusts across the UK started using military personnel to help with staff shortages.
These scenes paint a particularly stark image of where NHS nursing currently is.
And it’s also worth noting the deeper, underlying issues faced in terms of nursing recruitment and retention – which could actually worsen after the pandemic.
The number of nurses suggesting they intend to leave the profession has now risen to 35%, up from 25% in 2019.
Therefore, retention is just as big a problem as recruitment currently.
NHS England has said it is investing an extra £180 million into nursing recruitment and training – and UCAS has reported a 26% jump in successful nursing student applications.
These are rare positives within an otherwise difficult situation.
About this contributor
Nurses.co.uk Founder
I launched Nurses.co.uk (and subsequently Socialcare.co.uk, Healthjobs.co.uk and Healthcarejobs.ie) in 2008. 500 applications are made every day via our jobs boards, helping to connect hiring organisations recruiting for clinical, medical, care and support roles with specialist jobseekers. Our articles, often created by our own audience, shine a light on the career pathways in healthcare, and give a platform to ideas and opinions around their work and jobs.
More by this contributorWant to get involved in the discussion?
Log In Subscribe to commentThomas Boyle
Thomas Boyle
4 years agono suprise there, it is similar to the amount of form filling and jumping through hoops that was required to ... read more
no suprise there, it is similar to the amount of form filling and jumping through hoops that was required to be able to help give the covid vaccinations. The quantity put a lot of people off even trying
read less
sally brand
sally brand
4 years agoI can only assume that in my area, the NHS is coping and therefore it is cheaper to use the ... read more
I can only assume that in my area, the NHS is coping and therefore it is cheaper to use the bank staff on their books already. I have spent hours doing all the online vaccinator training !
read less
Oh no!
Dawn Stephens
Dawn Stephens
4 years agoI’ve recently returned to the NHS after 5 years out of the NHS. I was still practicing in the community ... read more
I’ve recently returned to the NHS after 5 years out of the NHS. I was still practicing in the community but through the charity sector. After 20 years of being qualified I’m now back at the bottom of the pay scale in the NHS. It took applying for 5 jobs to get 1. The main reason for that being I didn’t have recent relevant experience. One other issue I’ve noticed is that managers still rule with an iron fist! The bullying culture hasn’t changed at all in the time I’ve been away. No wonder nurses are leaving. You can use your nursing skills in many other roles just as I have in the past. I’ve only been back 3 weeks, and don’t get me wrong I love elements of the work but the NHS as a whole also needs to look at recruitment in a new way, just as the government need to.
read less
Thanks Dawn. Yes, I hope once(once!)Covid passes and the headlines have moved elsewhere that we don't forget that nursing entered the epidemic severely under-staffed and under-resourced and in need of... read more
Thanks Dawn. Yes, I hope once(once!)Covid passes and the headlines have moved elsewhere that we don't forget that nursing entered the epidemic severely under-staffed and under-resourced and in need of attention - in both recruitment AND retention.
read less
Sue Hester
Sue Hester
4 years agoThis is not as straightforward to answer as you think.Firstly some nurses retired on medical grounds so would not be ... read more
This is not as straightforward to answer as you think.Firstly some nurses retired on medical grounds so would not be able to come back. Some retirees may have developed medical conditions that predispose them to now being vulnerable and exclude them from returning., some may have died or like myself moved abroad.The red tape is an issue once you have let your registration lapse, as you are unable to return until you have undertaken a refresher course, and for myself would just not be worth it.Those who just left the profession obviously has good reason for doing so, and if 35% are thinking of leaving now, i can’t see those who have left wanting to return!
read less
My registration lapsed 2 and a half years ago now I have undertaken all the refresher courses and have not been paid for my time.(3 workings days and a fair bit of travel! They seem to ignore my quest... read more
My registration lapsed 2 and a half years ago now I have undertaken all the refresher courses and have not been paid for my time.(3 workings days and a fair bit of travel! They seem to ignore my questions regarding this). I feel like I've had to chase the NHS for information but also to keep things moving. The latest email stated my details were being forwarded to the coordinator for the nightingale in Exeter. This was 3 weeks ago now. It seems all very unorganised.....maybe that's what you get if you go through Capita and then pick it up from where they left it? It would make much more sense to sort this out on a local level.
read less
Suzanne Loveridge
Suzanne Loveridge
4 years agoI left in 2015. Wild horses couldn’t drag me back to service so far removed from the one I joined ... read more
I left in 2015. Wild horses couldn’t drag me back to service so far removed from the one I joined in 1978. We ran a surplus of staff then. There are some really offensive myths about our training then, but nothing compared to the reasons why recruitment and retention and level of debt for new staff now. Why would any of those others want to return to a service , especially my generation, to give the piss poor service my managers ignored due to staff shortages . Lumbered with pointless paperwork while HCAs and the reinvented SEN struggle with caste off RN responsibilities! Jaded? You betcha! The private sector now supporting the NHS not the answer
read less
Yes, Suzanne. The common theme here is lack of staff generally(not due to the pandemic)and retention(although, you fix one and the other will be helped!)Hopefully Covid has shown the UK that it can't ... read more
Yes, Suzanne. The common theme here is lack of staff generally(not due to the pandemic)and retention(although, you fix one and the other will be helped!)Hopefully Covid has shown the UK that it can't ignore the lack of frontline nursing numbers any longer.
read less
Eugenia Chizoba Nwankwo
Eugenia Chizoba Nwankwo
4 years agoThe COVID-19 saga is a very big issue globally, however, i would advice the UK to consider taking international nurses ... read more
The COVID-19 saga is a very big issue globally, however, i would advice the UK to consider taking international nurses especially Nigerians because they have more than enough who are thoroughly trained and highly skilled on the job. Thank you.
read less
For sure, Eugenia, the NHS has relied on overseas nurses for years now. In large numbers!
sally brand
sally brand
4 years agoI am one of those "retired" nurses. I left the register when I got no support with revalidation. I applied ... read more
I am one of those "retired" nurses. I left the register when I got no support with revalidation. I applied to join the Covid register and was accepted. I have applied for both track and trace and as a vaccinator. I have been accepted on both but have had no offers of work. Yet I know of NHS bank nurses who ARE given work as T and T and vaccinators....why on earth arent those nurses with recent hospital experience being utilised on wards and let the nurses on the covid register look after the T and T and vaccinator vacancies? Doesnt make any sense to me at all
read less
That doesn't make any sense to me either. Why have you had no offers of work? Any idea?
Tweet Matt Hancock and Boris you won’t get a reply but it will highlight what a shambles it all is.