Workforce burnout - MPs back CSP’s views 

In the highly critical report, the House of Commons health select committee has identified understaffing as the long term cause of pressure on staff.  

The committee echoes the views of the CSP in criticising current NHS workforce planning for:

• being based on finances not service needs
• not taking into account the demands from the independent, charitable and non NHS public sectors
• not looking at how the mix of professions is changing due to changing needs and technologies.

MPs also make specific recommendations including doubling funding for student placements for physiotherapy. 

The report also states that while problems existed before the pandemic coronavirus has worsened these pressures.

Break cycle

CSP policy director Rob Yeldham said: 'The cycle of underfunding leading to low staff numbers in post, which leads to planning for low staff numbers, has to be broken. The select committee has listened to what the CSP and other health organisations have said. 

'They are backing what we’ve long been saying. Workforce planning needs a fundamental overhaul to reflect all professions, all sectors and changing patterns of needs.'

Read the full report

Read the CSP's evidence to the committee

The government is expected to reply by the end of August.