How the University of Suffolk is helping solve the NHS staffing crisis

Why it matters: Allied health professionals are the third largest workforce in the NHS after nurses and doctors, providing critical emergency, diagnostic and treatment services. Staff shortages in these roles lead to increased waiting times and affect patient care.

The five-year Allied Health Professions Workforce Research Partnership will study how to ensure that staff in allied health roles—such as paramedics, physiotherapists, and radiographers—have the right skills and are available where needed across NHS hospitals, community services, and general practice.

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The big picture: The project, led by Sheffield Hallam University, will bring together researchers and NHS partners as well as patient and staff groups to jointly design new ways of working to improve patient care and staff satisfaction.

Professor Ruth Strudwick, Head of Allied Health Professions and Professor in Diagnostic Radiography at the University of Suffolk will be part of the research team in the East of England hub.

"This is a really exciting project to be a part of as we look at the role of allied health professionals in rural and coastal areas," Professor Strudwick said.

How it works: Researchers will collaborate in three regional hubs based in the East of England, Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire to test new approaches to addressing staffing problems.

The University of Suffolk will work alongside partners including Anglia Ruskin University, University of Lincoln, University of Sheffield, University of Leeds and NHS East of England.

There are 14 different allied health professions providing specialist services from birth to end of life.

What they're saying: Professor Julie Nightingale from Sheffield Hallam's School of Health and Social Care, who is leading the project, said: "There is a shortage of staff in allied health professions, which has a negative impact on patient care and leads to increased waiting times. It means some people can't get scans, cancer treatment and rehab when they need it."

"These shortages also affect the working conditions and well-being of staff which may make them want to leave the NHS. Shortages are worse in rural areas, coastal places, and less well-off communities where it is difficult to attract and retain staff."

Professor Lucy Chappell, NIHR Chief Executive and Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department for Health and Social Care, said: "Staff are the backbone of our health and care system. The NIHR is stepping up to fund high-quality research to understand our workforce needs better. These new landmark research partnerships will generate crucial new research across a range of projects to help improve the quality, organisation and retention of teams, which will in turn improve the quality of care they provide."

The bottom line: This is one of five partnerships funded through the Health Services and Delivery Research Programme. The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded project aims to improve healthcare delivery in disadvantaged communities by addressing critical staffing issues. Findings will be shared nationally with NHS partners, patients and the public.