Summary

  • Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is in Downing Street setting out a 15-year plan to recruit 300,000 more NHS staff in England

  • He says the NHS will train more doctors and nurses through apprenticeships, and double the number of medical training places by 2031

  • The NHS will also improve conditions for staff to improve retention, he says

  • However, the plan does not touch on pay, a key issue in the recent NHS strikes

  • Asked about this, Sunak says that "everyone would like to get paid more... but I think everyone also recognises the economic context that we're in"

  • Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, says this is a "once in a generation opportunity" to improve patient care

  • You can watch the news conference by pressing play at the top of the page

Live Reporting

Edited by Emily McGarvey

  1. Sunak to set out historic 15-year NHS staff plan

    Emily McGarvey
    Live reporter

    Hello and welcome to our live coverage as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is set to unveil a “historic” 15-year plan to fill shortages within the NHS during a press conference at midday.

    The plan includes more university places for medical and nursing students, as well as greater emphasis on apprenticeships.

    Retention will also be a major part of the plans, including more flexible-working options as well as opportunities for career development.

    However, the plan does not touch on pay, which has been the major reason for the recent strikes that have severely disrupted the health service.

    I'm joined by my colleagues Malu Cursino, Oliver Slow and Chas Geiger, who will be bringing you live updates from the press conference.