ENT UK Responds to the 2023 Surgical Workforce Report
18 January 2024
The Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCSE) has published the results of the Workforce Census 2023 which provides comprehensive information on the composition of the surgical workforce, its demographics and working practices. Overall, there were responses from about around 30% of the consultant body (> 6700 consultants). ENT UK welcomes this report and the opportunity to investigate the results further and analyse the responses from the ENT workforce.
Over the past 18 months, the Special Advisory Committee (SAC) in ENT has conducted its own analysis of the ENT workforce and the challenges affecting the specialty. From this we now have an excellent understanding of the ENT workforce throughout the UK. This evidence has enabled the SAC to successfully lobby lead Postgraduate Deans resulting in an agreement that all future workforce plans will include the SAC and ENT UK. The SAC will be gathering more data which will inform our approach going forward which will enable us to further influence the NHS Workforce Team.
The census report highlights some key issues that impact all surgical specialties including high levels of stress and burnout among consultants, potentially contributing to an increasing number considering leaving the NHS or retiring early. We know there is an above average of 151 retirements planned or known (approximately 20% of the workforce) over the next 5 years in ENT. In ENT there is also a concerning number of unfilled posts and increasing workload pressure on SAS staff to fill the gaps, particularly in outpatient services.
The census and our workforce review highlights complex issues that are not easily resolved, and we are working in partnership with the Royal Colleges, the FSSA and SAC on these workforce challenges.
We are committed to providing insight, shaping policy and informing public debate about wider healthcare related issues that are important to, or particularly impact the specialty. As an association, ENT UK wants to focus on the issues that matter to our members the most, and we encourage all members to feedback to us about what factors impact your working life and career, and what issues you want to see us focus on.
We look forward to sharing more updates as we continue to lobby and influence on your behalf.
Further Information:
Read the full report here: Advancing the Surgical Workforce: 2023 UK Surgical Workforce Census Report