NHS ‘must change to keep older staff’

The government’s modernisation plans for the National Health
Service are in danger unless older people are encouraged not to
take early retirement, a King’s Fund report warns this week.

More older staff should be recruited to fill vacant health service
posts and the NHS should adopt flexible working practices, such as
those pioneered by some private sector employers, it adds.

“One in seven workers in the NHS – about 150,000 people – are 50 or
over,” said author Sandra Meadows. “With fewer young people taking
up jobs in the health service, it is crucial we hold on to
experienced and skilled older workers, who have a wealth of
knowledge and expertise.”

The report concludes that the UK’s ageing workforce makes it
essential that the NHS has imaginative policies in place to retain
older staff.

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