29 March 2022
We're one of 100 health and care organisations calling on the Prime Minister and the UK government to accept the Lords workforce amendment when the Health and Care Bill returns to the House of Commons.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, we made the case for halting past failures of government and legislating in support of a long-term workforce plan for the NHS.
Ahead of the Bill returning to the House of Commons for the Consideration of Amendment stage, BSR President Dr Sanjeev Patel said: "MPs who voted this amendment down in the earlier stages of the Bill have had time to reflect. We’re calling on them not to make the same mistake twice. Knowing how many healthcare staff are needed to meet NHS demand will improve patient care and reduce pressure on our stretched rheumatology teams. MPs must accept this amendment.”
Using our workforce data
We're uniquely placed to understand multidisciplinary team staffing requirements to maintain a safe level of care in rheumatology services, thanks to our 2020/21 data collection.
Implementing our Rheumatology workforce: a crisis in numbers report recommendations and calling for the expansion of the workforce ensures the rheumatology workforce can become sustainable, adequately staffed and reflective of population demands.
This amendment complements our workforce report findings and gives our specialty a national, independent view of how many rheumatology staff are needed to keep pace with projected demand in the NHS over the next 5, 10 and 20 years.
How you can help
This call to action has now closed. Thank you to everyone who contacted their local MP.
The Health and Care Bill received Royal Assent, meaning it was passed by Parliament, on the 28 July 2022. The Bill promotes NHS integration, gives new powers to the Secretary of State, and introduces targeted changes to public health, social care, and quality and safety matters.
Disappointingly, the government rejected BSR-backed amendments to the Bill that would strengthen workforce planning and increase transparency around NHS workforce numbers. Despite this setback, BSR will continue to campaign on this issue. For more information on our workforce campaign please visit our policy pages.