Nursing numbers in Britain : the argument for workforce planning

Abstract

Britain has a serious shortage of nurses, as well as problems in recruiting and retaining them

It is not simply that there are too few nurses; some key skills shortages also exist, with increasing demand for more qualified staff in some areas

Much better planning of the workforce is required, and this needs to be more integrated with the planning for other groups in health care

A change in the pay system may help, but the creation of better work environments may be part of the solution

The rapid pace of change in the nursing profession has produced a challenge that the NHS needs to address