Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to improve levels of staff retention of healthcare professionals working in rheumatology services.

Through the National Health Service priorities and operational planning guidance, systems have been asked to refresh their workforce plans to improve staff retention through a systematic focus on all elements of the NHS People Promise.  The People Promise provides a strong focus on creating a more modern, compassionate and inclusive NHS culture by strengthening staff health and wellbeing, promoting equality and diversity, improving leadership and workplace culture and opening up opportunities for flexible working.

NHS England is leading work nationally to strengthen retention across the NHS through its NHS retention programme. This includes supporting organisations to deliver best practice interventions in areas such as staff health and wellbeing, flexible working and menopause support in the workplace. A staff retention guide has been updated and includes information on supporting staff at different stages in their career with a focus on induction, reward and recognition. These initiatives apply across all NHS staff groups, including healthcare professionals working in rheumatology services.