An open letter to healthcare leaders, clinicians and workforce planners
Dear all,
As we continue to navigate one of the most complex and demanding periods in UK healthcare, I’m proud to share with you the third white paper in our Insight to Impact series: Shaping safer health systems through the experience of the flexible workforce, developed in partnership with Cavell.
We spoke to over 4,000 flexible healthcare professionals – nurses, doctors, allied health professionals and support staff – working across more than 1,000 client sites across the UK. Their insights are clear, and at times sobering:
- Only 41% expect to stay in their roles long term
- 29% have considered leaving healthcare altogether due to financial stress
- 65% cite staffing shortages as the top risk to patient safety
- 56% say financial stress affects their mental health
- And yet, 36% say they choose flexible work for the work-life balance it offers
These professionals are not temporary stopgaps. They are the backbone of safe, responsive care. They step in at short notice, travel further, adapt faster and support services under pressure. Their voices must be central to workforce reform.
The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan sets out ambitious goals to reduce agency spend and reshape care delivery. Reducing reliance on agency staffing is often framed as a cost-saving measure; however, in some cases, we see this as a false economy. Other contingent labour, such as bank workers, is often more expensive, particularly when the incremental costs of pension, holiday pay and National Insurance are included in the comparison, The anti-agency rhetoric also misses the fact that workers want the opportunity for flexible working to fit with their lifestyles, broaden their experience and support their skill development.
We believe that sustainable workforce planning must be inclusive, data-driven and people-centred. Flexible staffing models, including agency workers, play a vital role in maintaining safe staffing levels, supporting workforce wellbeing and ensuring continuity of care. A more nuanced approach recognises that autonomy, choice and balance are essential to building a happy, healthy, resilient and motivated workforce.
We invite all healthcare providers to get in touch to access our unique workforce insights and open conversations about how to strengthen culture, improve retention and build a more sustainable environment for all their staff.
I invite you to download the report, reflect on the findings and join us in shaping a future where every healthcare professional feels supported and valued to deliver the best possible patient care.
Best wishes,
Mike Barnard
Chief Executive Officer
Acacium Group
