Government Acts to Secure NHS Jobs for New Nurses and Midwives
The government has unveiled a new plan aimed at making sure every newly qualified nurse and midwife in England can find a job straight after graduation. This move comes after it was revealed that, in some areas, there are up to three times as many graduates as there are vacancies — leaving many eager healthcare professionals in limbo despite the NHS’s ongoing staffing needs.
Under these changes, NHS trusts will be allowed to recruit based on projected demand, not just on existing vacancies. That means they can hire staff ahead of time, ensuring positions are ready before the need becomes urgent. The plan also includes the temporary conversion of some maternity support worker posts into midwifery roles, backed by £8 million in funding, to open more opportunities for graduates.
The announcement has been broadly welcomed by professional bodies. The Royal College of Nursing called it “hopeful news” but stressed that the real test will be whether these graduates can actually secure roles. The Royal College of Midwives said the measures would be a relief to many students who had been blocked from starting their careers despite completing years of training.
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Health Secretary Wes Streeting made it clear that the situation up to now was unacceptable: “It is absurd that we are training thousands of nurses and midwives every year, only to leave them without a job before their career has started.” He emphasised that this guarantee sends a strong message — that the government is backing these professionals from day one so they can help deliver care and cut waiting lists.
The plan, part of the broader “Plan for Change” strategy, aims not only to improve recruitment but also to strengthen workforce planning and retention. It comes after record numbers signed up for nursing and midwifery training during the pandemic, while fewer staff left the profession. Although this stability is good for patient care, it has also created a bottleneck for newcomers trying to enter the workforce.
Despite the enthusiasm, there are financial concerns. Some NHS leaders and unions warn that trust budgets are already stretched thin, and it remains unclear how these measures will be fully funded. There is also criticism from other healthcare groups — such as occupational therapy and paramedic organisations — that similar job access issues in their professions have not yet been addressed.
For patients, the expected benefits include shorter waiting times and care from a well-supported, confident workforce. For graduates, it promises certainty at a critical moment in their careers. And for the NHS, it’s a step toward ensuring staffing levels meet both present and future demand.
In short, this initiative is being framed as a win-win — if it can be delivered as promised. The challenge now lies in turning this policy into real jobs for those ready to serve on the frontlines of healthcare.
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