Accommodating a brighter future
Unlocking the health and care recruitment and retention challenge.
The recruitment and retention of health and care professionals is one of the most acute and urgent challenges facing the NHS today. Amid a worsening understaffing crisis where one in ten posts remain unfilled [1], it is estimated that the total price of inaction would cost the NHS a staggering £21.7bn [2].
A lack of good-quality, affordable housing close to hospital trusts has been inextricably linked to this complex shortfall [3]. Amid an environment of economic turbulence, an intensifying cost-of-living crisis, and a rental market with an inherent lack of supply and elevated house prices, the shortage or complete absence of key worker accommodation in some areas of the country is now a considerable barrier to the recruitment of pivotal roles.
Prime’s latest thinking – Accommodating a Brighter Future – explores the urgency of the issues and introduces a different approach to solving this challenge.
It’s never been more important for leaders to take action at a local level, sooner rather than later.
The current 154,000 NHS staff shortfall could reach 360,000 by 2036.
Source: NHS Long Term Workforce Plan, NHS England, 2023
The development of sustainable, affordable and proximate key worker housing
Prime has spent the last few years leveraging our expertise to develop, test and action a proprietary key worker accommodation model that addresses this increasing urgency.
The Accommodating a Brighter Future report explores Prime’s innovative and transformative solution that develops, funds and builds high-quality, affordable and furnished key worker accommodation at pace.
Hyve by Prime supports health and care services to deliver long-term value and utilise key worker accommodation as a significant part of their recruitment and retention strategy. With flexible design and structure, Prime’s model allows these providers to adapt to the changing needs of residents while meeting their long-term strategic ambitions
The people who care for the health and wellbeing of our communities deserve to live in a place they’re proud to call home.
Leighton Chumbley, Chief Executive, Prime plc
Access the Accommodating a Brighter Future report today
Download the report to uncover the complex recruitment and retention challenges constraining our health and care services and explore Prime’s solution to the worsening challenges facing the sector. It features a foreword from Nick Johnson, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, who shares first-hand accounts of the costly realities for staff and the transformational impact new key worker accommodation has had on hospital resourcing.
Without significant and swift action to address this challenge today, the outlook for the UK’s health and care system remains perilous.