Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to improve recruitment and retention in NHS community and district nursing.

The Department set up Health Education England (HEE) to deliver a better health and healthcare workforce for England. HEE is responsible for ensuring a secure workforce supply for the future balancing need against demand, taking into account factors such as the age profile of the existing workforce, the impact of technology, and new drugs.

In December 2013, HEE published its first annual workforce plan for England, covering the period 2014-15. This plan was determined through an assessment of future need by local National Health Service employers, and Local Education and Training Boards (LETBs) and used as the basis of an investment plan for England, which included community and district nursing requirements, alongside other professions.

Working in concert with NHS healthcare providers, HEE is leading a programme of work to encourage nurses to return to practice. This work includes ensuring that the education programmes being commissioned are effective and meet the needs of patients and the NHS. All programmes are validated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.