Encouraging the healthcare workforce to invest in themselves is the first step towards reducing the skills shortage threat currently facing our healthcare sector

Demand for skilled healthcare workers is on the rise across the UK, according to recent data. Following a challenging number of years, the UK healthcare workforce is struggling to bridge the widening skills shortage gap with the right level of qualified professionals.

2023 saw the second-biggest surge in demand for healthcare professionals for the fourth consecutive year. By extension, now is the time for healthcare professionals and prospects to upskill within their field of expertise to help bridge the increasing skills shortage gap across the UK healthcare sector.

Dr. Anish Kotecha, Director of Education at Learna comments: “NHS Trusts across the country continue to feel the lasting effects of the pandemic as well as a rising talent exodus in recent years. Demand is on the up for professionals who can step into these roles and deliver quality care to patients. 

“Now is the time for professionals to hone their knowledge and upskill themselves further through the right channels. Further education partners are on-hand to provide affordable and flexible postgraduate courses for professionals looking to make the next step up in their career. 

“Many healthcare workers may feel deterred from pursuing further education options due to their work and financial commitments. But these concerns can be put to rest given the rise of online / individual learning meaning that workers can plan their study time around their work and personal schedules. Partnering with affordable, university-accredited providers will alleviate further concerns around financial commitments. In particular, for overseas professionals who encounter additional surcharges for studying in the UK, access to surcharge-free education is another option on offer to curb the skills shortage crisis. 

“Encouraging the healthcare workforce to invest in themselves is the first step in reducing the skills shortage threat currently facing our healthcare sector. We can do this by providing flexible and accessible solutions for both domestic and overseas professionals to maximise the talent pool potential in which we can call upon to provide the quality care needed. 

“At the moment, NHS waiting times are rising, care teams are feeling the pressures of understaffing and a drain of knowledge is underway as a result of high turnover. All of these factors eventually descend into poorer quality of care for patients – be that urgent or non-urgent – it is a threat which needs to be resolved.”

At the end of December 2023, 7.6 million people remained on a waiting list for routine care treatments in England alone. A&E statistics provide similar concerns with 54,308 patients waiting for at least 12 hours to be seen in January 2024. 

Dr Kotecha concludes: “Healthcare professionals are under pressure to deliver the necessary level of care for their patients and education holds the key to securing their future. Failing to improve accessibility to further appropriate and relevant education pathways for professionals will only hold back people’s potential during their careers.

“Providing flexible and affordable postgraduate learning encourages health and social care professionals to improve their knowledge and skills in their respective fields. This will ultimately empower them to feel more confident and competent in their professions leading to better patient outcomes.”