Call for evidence: rural health workforce toolkit

The National Centre for Rural Health and Care has launched a call for evidence to inform its planned rural health workforce toolkit. This toolkit will focus on workforce issues contributing to health inequalities in rural and coastal areas in the UK and beyond.  

The publication of the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, published in June 2023, was shaped around the three priority areas of train, retain and reform. The plan identified key workforce issues and solutions to make the NHS a better place to work. However, there was little reference to rural and coastal areas which experience quite nuanced challenges in relation to ageing populations, recruiting younger people into the workforce, transport issues and housing costs.  

The National Centre is seeking insights, case studies, and best practice examples from around the world to showcase how different regions support their rural and coastal communities. They invite health and care practitioners, providers, researchers, patient associations, professional bodies, and organisations of all kinds to share their perspectives on the challenges of working in these communities. Additionally, they welcome suggestions on how to address workforce issues in these areas. 

To contribute and share your views, please complete this survey. 

The National Centre appreciates early responses, especially from those who would like their service to be featured in a case study.