Time for a fundamental reset on staffing

Responding to findings from the Royal College of Nursing’s Employment Survey 2025, the chief executive of NHS Providers, Daniel Elkeles, said:

"The pressures on many NHS staff are unacceptable.

"Our recent State of the Provider Sector survey showed most trust leaders are worried about staff burnout, morale and heavy workloads.

"It’s really concerning that anxiety, stress, depression and other psychiatric illnesses have consistently been the most reported reasons for sickness across all staff groups for a long time.

"For many colleagues, these pressures will only be compounded by resident doctors’ industrial action, as they work to ensure patient safety and – as far as possible – keep services going.

"Strikes cause disruption and distress for patients, and they sow damaging divisions in the wider workforce.

"These threaten the real signs of progress we are starting to see in the NHS.

"It’s important that trusts can invest in first class occupational health services including mental health support for their staff.

"They want to create conditions where individuals can thrive in teams with well-trained line managers.

"The forthcoming 10 year workforce plan presents an opportunity for a fundamental reset on staffing to ensure NHS staff feel respected, valued and supported."