Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the financial implications for his policies of trends in the retention rates of experienced NHS staff; and if he will conduct a review into the adequacy of (a) financial and (b) other incentives to support the retention of those staff.

NHS priorities and operational planning guidance 2023/24 has asked systems to refresh their 2022/23 whole system workforce plans to improve staff retention through a systematic focus on all elements of the NHS People Promise.  Staff wellbeing should be strategically aligned with elective recovery plans, including workforce demand and capacity planning.

In terms of financial incentives, the Government recently published new pension reforms which will provide a financial incentive for members of the NHS Pension Scheme nearing retirement age. From 1 April 2023, members of the 1995 Section who retire and return to the NHS can join the 2015 Scheme and build more pension savings. From 1 October 2023, for the first time, partial retirement will be available to members of the 1995 Section, giving staff in late career the opportunity to extend their working lives. In discussion with their employer, they can draw down between 20% and 100% of their pension whilst continuing to work, keeping both their pension and salary.