Nationwide plan to tackle the LD nursing recruitment and retention challenge

A new plan to help boost the number of people entering the learning disability nursing profession, improve the learner experience, develop a pre-registration programme and celebrate the role they play in delivering care to patients is being developed by Health Education England.

The plan is being worked on in partnership with a range of stakeholders including  the Royal College of Nursing, Nursing and Midwifery Council, Queen’s Nursing Institute, Foundation of Nursing Studies, Florence Nightingale Institute and Council of Deans .

Mark Radford, Chief Nurse, Health Education England said:

We know that there is a challenge to boost the number of people carrying out this highly valued and important role and that is why HEE is working with key partners to come up with innovative ways to do this. This is a fantastic opportunity to look at ways not only to increase the LD workforce but to retain those nurses we already have. We are keen to hear from anyone who is interested in being part of this work and urge them to get in touch.

The plan will cover four themes:

• Attract  (Recruiting the workforce) – Ensure a contemporary narrative that raises the profile and attracts new entrants into the workforce. To double the number of people entering the learning disability nursing profession.   
• Retain (Learners and registered nurses) – To improve the experience of learners and people working in learning disability services.    
• Develop (clinical & academic capability) – to develop nationally recognised post registration programmes for learning disability nurses; from novice to expert. 
• Celebrate (Excellence in learning disability nurses) – A Co-ordinated annual programme of celebration events

Full details on how the plan will work will be available in April.

Organisations interested in getting involved in this work should contact Learning.Disability@hee.nhs.uk