The future of the NHS depends on its workforce
The future of the NHS depends on the people who work in it, so workforce stewardship should be a key priority Achieving a high quality, sustainable NHS is currently challenged by major workforce problems. Staff are the most significant element of NHS expenditure1 and its most important asset in providing care for NHS patients, but stewardship of the workforce is not optimised at policy or service level. Based on knowledge of the field, the literature, and listening to patients and staff, we identify three key interlinked areas in which action is urgently needed: configuring the workforce, improving conditions and working environments, and enhancing career and training pathways. We propose what might be done to tackle the current challenges, emphasising that workforce stewardship needs to be highly intentional about diversity, inclusion, and equity and needs to be done collaboratively with staff, patients, and the public. ### Staff shortages The future of the NHS depends on having the r