To help deliver the NHS Long Term Plan, HEE, NHS England and NHS Improvement worked collaboratively with national leaders and partners, to develop a People Plan. The interim People Plan was published in June 2019 and its central themes – more staff, working differently, in a compassionate and inclusive culture – are even more important now. 

The pandemic has changed so much about how we all work and how we may have to work in the future. It has also shone a spotlight on the urgent need to address the safety and experience of BAME colleagues and communities. 

“We are the NHS: People Plan for 2020/21 – Actions for us all sets out what we can expect from our leaders and each other. It focuses on how we must look after each other and foster a culture of inclusion and belonging, as well as grow and train our workforce, and work together differently to deliver patient care. 

We are the NHS: People Plan for 2020/21 – Actions for everyone

This plan aims to make real and lasting change, building on the creativity and drive shown by NHS colleagues in response to the pandemic. It is practical and aspirational, setting out the focused action that NHS staff have said they need, right now and for the next 6 months. It includes specific commitments around:

• Looking after staff – with quality health and wellbeing support for everyone
• Belonging in the NHS – with a particular focus on the discrimination that some staff face
• New ways of working – capturing innovation, much of it led by NHS staff
• Growing for the future – how the NHS recruits, trains and keeps staff, and welcomes back colleagues who want to return

To embed a consistent and enduring offer to all NHS staff, we have developed the NHS People Promise. Its themes and words come from our colleagues who have said what would improve their working experience. We must now all work together to make these ambitions a reality.

What’s coming next?

This is our opportunity to take a huge step towards an equal, inclusive and diverse NHS.  Each of us has a part to play in making this a lasting change. 

There are two initial Twitter chat with Prerana Issar and many of our NHS leaders post publication:

• Tuesday 4 August, 17:00 to 18:00
• Wednesday 5 August, 11:00 to 12:00

We urge you to join the conversation at #WeAreTheNHS and find out more about the plan here