In a landmark move to strengthen the NHS workforce, the UK government has unveiled its Graduate Guarantee, a transformative initiative designed to ensure every newly qualified nurse and midwife in England secures employment.
This bold action is set to unlock thousands of new healthcare jobs, addressing concerns about job availability and supporting the next generation of NHS professionals.
The Graduate Guarantee removes recruitment barriers for NHS trusts, enabling them to hire based on projected need rather than existing vacancies. This shift will allow newly qualified nurses and midwives to transition seamlessly from training into employment, ensuring their skills are put to immediate use in patient care.
The initiative comes in response to a surge in nursing and midwifery graduates following the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with improved retention rates across the NHS. While this reflects growing confidence in NHS careers, it has also led to a mismatch between the number of graduates and available roles in some regions.
To address this, the government has committed to a comprehensive workforce reform package, developed in collaboration with the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Midwives. This partnership highlights the power of collective action in delivering better outcomes for staff, patients, and the health service.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said:
“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.
“No one who dedicates themselves to a nursing or midwifery career should be left in limbo, when their skills are so urgently needed in the effort to rebuild our NHS
“I am sending a clear message to every newly qualified nurse and midwife We’re here to support you from day one so you can provide the best care for patients and cut waiting lists. This new guarantee will benefit nurses, midwives and patients, helping to build an NHS fit for the future as part of our Plan for Change.”
Key measures include:
- Early recruitment of graduates before vacancies formally arise
- £8 million investment to convert vacant maternity support worker roles into Band 5 midwifery positions
- A new online hub offering guidance and support for job-seeking graduates
- Enhanced onboarding and mentorship for newly qualified staff
This initiative is part of the government’s broader Plan for Change, aimed at improving patient access, reducing waiting times, and ensuring a confident, well-supported NHS workforce.
Duncan Barton, Chief Nursing Officer for England, also commented:
“Having been a student nurse, I know how important it is to feel supported, valued, and able to get on with the job you have trained so hard to do.
“Every nurse and midwife deserves the guarantee of a job to apply for when they graduate, so we’re unlocking more opportunities right across health and care and providing refreshed online advice and support with applications to help ensure a smooth transition into employment.
“We have more nurses and midwives than ever before choosing to stay working in the NHS, which is fantastic for patients, but we must ensure our newest graduates get the same opportunity to put their skills and passion to use without frustrating delays.”
For graduates, this means greater certainty and opportunity. For the NHS, it means better workforce planning and retention. And for patients, it promises faster, more consistent care from a dedicated and growing team of professionals.
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