Leaked report exposes mismatch in NHS staffing levels

Huge disparities between projected numbers of NHS staff and the levels of personnel the health service actually needs—or can afford—have been shown in a government report leaked to the Health Service Journal.

The draft NHS pay and workforce strategy for 2008-11 predicts a shortfall of 14 000 nurses and 1200 GPs but a surplus of 3200 consultants by 2010.

As a partial solution the report suggests that a lower paid “sub-consultant” grade be created for doctors who have newly acquired their certificate of specialist training, but the suggestion has prompted an angry …