MPs call for CPD budget to be reinstated

In a report, The nursing workforce, the Commons Health Committee said the NHS was paying too little attention to retaining its nurses and this has resulted in more leaving the professional register than joining it.

The report said there were a number of reasons why nurses were leaving the profession.

These included workload, pay, lack of CPD opportunities and a general sense that they were not valued.

During the inquiry, the committee was told that CPD cuts had fuelled nurses’ belief that they were undervalued.

The report said Health Education England’s budget for CPD had fallen from £205m in 2015/16 to £84m in the current financial year.

NHS Employers told the committee that action was needed as CPD was vital in ensuring nurses could do their day-to-day jobs, but also gave them opportunities to move into advanced practice.

In its evidence to the committee, Health Education England said it had taken a conscious decision to shift funds to train more nurses for the future, but indicated its intention to increase funding again for nurse CPD. However, the report said, even if the funding were restored, nurses doubted they would be allowed to take CPD courses as they were so busy.

The report recommended funding allocated to trusts should be ring-fenced for nurse CPD. Specific funds should also be made available to support CPD for nurses working in the community.

It added that the government must monitor closely the impact of removing nursing bursaries – it was particularly concerned about the impact of bursaries on mature students.  

Committee chair Sarah Wollaston (pictured), said: ‘We met many frontline nurses during the course of this inquiry. We heard a clear message about workload pressures as well as ideas about how to address these.

‘We will return to this subject in a year to make sure that improvements have been made in nurse retention, working conditions, and continuing professional development.’