The NHS 10-year workforce plan for England: hope for the future?

03/11/2025

Clare: a smiling white woman with brown hair and glasses
Pictured: Clare Addison, senior nurse & patient and public voice representative living with Parkinsons.

About the author

Clare Addison is a senior nurse with 42 years’ experience within specialist neurosciences and acute surgery. She has been living with Parkinsons for the last nine and half years. Clare is currently a patient and public voice representative on the NHS England Neurology Clinical Reference Group which provides guidance and leadership on specialised neurology services and how they should be provided. She shares her hopes for the NHS 10-year workforce plan and what it could mean for the future.

Strengthening the neuro workforce for patients

As a patient I can see that there is a huge need to strengthen the neuroscience workforce. The NHS 10-year workforce plan for England represents a significant opportunity to do this. Life with a progressive neurological condition warrants long term dynamic clinical support. It’s a lonely and ever-changing journey. Having care accessible and close to home, delivered by an expert and dynamic team, where there is continuity of that care, is vital, no matter where you live. Receiving care that is holistic, and patient-centred, helps me to fully play my part in the management of my Parkinson’s and gives us as a family the best possible chance to live as well as possible.

Investment and support for healthcare professionals

As a healthcare professional I am passionate about giving high quality care, but services are stretched: we are under resourced, we are tired and there is little satisfaction in not being able to deliver the best. We need investment in our services to develop, motivate and educate us as a multidisciplinary workforce, that contributes to research and development. This should be supported by the best tools and systems to enable us to give efficient, compassionate and world class care. Investment and support in the delivery of excellence in care will motivate and aid retention of this valuable staff.

We cannot, in the knowledge of the current system challenges, inequalities and inadequacies, allow the current state to continue.

Clare Addison, senior nurse & patient and public voice representative

We are currently at a crossroads in neuroscience care. We cannot, in the knowledge of the current system challenges, inequalities and inadequacies, allow the current state to continue. The Neurological Alliance’s workforce consensus statement (an amazing document!) unites the call for service improvement, sets the blueprint and recommends a shared vision for a way forward to make things better. It will require time, teamwork, drive, passionate leadership and commitment. It can be done, and it must be done. We owe this to ourselves as healthcare professionals and to our patients.

Hope for the future?

My ultimate hope for the workforce plan is twofold:

  • for all patients and their families affected by neurological conditions to feel a sense of belonging as they are held at the heart of a care team that really cares about them; and
  • that all healthcare professionals choosing neurosciences as a work speciality find a rewarding career where they can, as one team, flourish, develop and make a difference every day.

To learn more about the 10-Year NHS Workforce Plan for England, please visit www.neural.org.uk/workforce.