NHS EnglandBoth the Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) programme and Maternity Workforce Programme (MWP) are NHS England initiatives focussed on supporting each workforce.
The HCSW programme was launched in September 2019 to support NHS trusts to grow their HCSW workforce in line with demand. Ensuring inclusive and sustainable recruitment with a particular focus on new to care, while reducing the attrition of existing HCSWs. This is with a view to
• responding to increased demand for HCSW’s
• reducing reliance of temporary staffing
• supporting a diverse and inclusive workforce by widening access to the HCSW role.
In 2021/22 NHS England’s MWP made significant investments to increase establishment of both midwives and obstetricians and continues into 2022/23. Remaining focussed on;
• increasing the NHS midwifery workforce through international recruitment of midwives, dedicated retention resources, and proactively encouraging midwives that recently left the NHS to return
• maximising clinical time and safer practices through multidisciplinary working, education and training, and additional recruitment and support for support workers in maternity services
• offering a direct programme of targeted support to address key workforce issues
• providing national investment, alongside local investment, to support the maternity workforce in line with the Ockenden report’s Immediate and Essential Actions.
