Congleton MP Fiona Bruce, whose constituency includes Sandbach, has asked the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care about the retention of nurses in her constituency. 

The Conservative put the question to Will Quince MP, Minister for State at the Department for Health and Social Care in Parliament.

She asked what steps his department is taking to improve the retention of experienced nurses in the Congleton constituency and nationally.

Responding Will Quince MP, Minister for State at the Department for Health and Social Care, said his department had commissioned a long-term plan for workforce retention.

Will Quince MP, Minister for State at the Department for Health and Social Care

He said: "NHS England's retention programme seeks to understand why staff leave and provide targeted interventions to support staff to stay, with each trust required to have retention action plans, including in Congleton.

"NHS England is working with each integrated care system to support a dedicated retention resource for 2022/23.

"Support for line managers has been provided, including a staff retention guide with information on induction, reward and recognition, menopause support and online resources to support colleagues in late and early career.

"In July 2022, NHS England asked each National Health Service organisation to prioritise the delivery of five actions on nursing and midwifery retention, including enhanced support for those joining the NHS, menopause support and improved advice and guidance for those later in their career with flexible working and pensions.

"The Department has commissioned NHS England to develop a long-term workforce plan.

"The plan will consider the number of staff and the roles required and will set out the actions and reforms needed to improve workforce supply and retention, including in Congleton."

0.8% of nurses and midwives left the NHS acute sector in England each month between April 2012 and May 2021.

These national figures are before the mandatory COVID vaccine for health workers came in.

There is currently one nurse vacancy in Congleton on the NHS Jobs website, however this does not tell the full story.

East Cheshire NHS Trust have been contacted for comment and figures relating to the Congleton area.