NEWS: NHS Struggles to Keep Gen Z Staff

As reported by Express & Star, New analysis shows young NHS workers are increasingly stressed and dissatisfied, raising concerns for the service’s future

The NHS’s ability to retain its Gen Z workers has been called into question after new analysis suggests they are “increasingly unhappy” at work.

Analysts said that the future of the health service depends on the service’s youngest staff, but concerns have been raised about job satisfaction among these workers. The report revealed how staff in the early years of their careers have become more stressed and unhappy over time, the think tank said.

The researchers found that between 2013 and 2023 stress levels in clinical staff aged 21 to 30 rose by 14 percentage points – with more than half (52%) in 2023 saying they were made unwell through work-related stress during the previous year, compared to 38% in 2013. The number of NHS staff in England aged 21 to 30 who are unhappy with their pay rise from 10% to 22%. This is compared to a smaller rise among older staff – from 11% in 2013 to 12% in 2023.

The review was published as NHS officials announced a review into the training for resident doctors – previously known as junior doctors.

The nation’s chief medical officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, and NHS England’s national medical director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, will lead the review as part of work to address concerns raised by resident doctors.

The new review will seek views on placement options, flexibility to staff in training and rota problems, among other issues, officials said.

An NHS England spokesperson said: “NHS organisations have done a huge amount to improve the working environment for staff over the past couple of years and our staff retention levels are among the highest in over a decade – with a reduction in sickness and absence rates and an improvement in productivity.

“The NHS is fully committed to ensuring staff get the support they need, and the health service is now offering more flexible working options than ever before, as well as a range of mental health support available for staff, including access to coaching and wellbeing resources.”