Response to new English healthcare workforce briefing
Comment published
Responding to the briefing ‘The health care workforce in England: make or break?’ (The King’s Fund, the Health Foundation and the Nuffield Trust),
Scott Sinclair, Marie Curie Head of Policy & Public Affairs, England said:
Today’s briefing highlights the very real threat that the NHS will not be able to meet future demand and that quality of care will suffer. Already,people at the end of their lives miss out on the care and support they need. With the numbers of people dying each year steadily rising, it is likely that continued staff shortages will mean more people at the end of their lives receiving insufficient care, creating distressing situations that have long-term mental health impacts on families and carers.
The health and social care workforce is passionate and capable, but needs the numbers to tackle increasing demand. The Government urgently needs to get serious about the long-term challenges facing the health and social care system. At the present moment, it appears completely unprepared for the scale of demand that will face the NHS in the coming years.
Notes to editor
About Marie Curie – care and support through terminal illness
Please note – we are now called ‘Marie Curie’ (not Marie Curie Cancer Care)
Marie Curie is the UK’s leading charity for people with any terminal illness. The charity helps people living with a terminal illness and their families make the most of the time they have together by delivering expert hands-on care, emotional support, research and guidance. Marie Curie employs more than 2,700 nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals, and with its nine hospices around the UK, is the largest provider of hospice beds outside the NHS.
If you are in need of support, or have any questions about any aspect of terminal illness, call the Marie Curie Information and Support Line free on 0800 090 2309 or visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/help.
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- Policy