Parliamentary briefing

Active

Active

10/07/23

10 July 2023

RCP briefing for Sir David Amess summer adjournment debate

The Summer Adjournment debate enables MPs to discuss a wide range of issues before the House adjourns for summer recess. The RCP has issued a briefing for MPs ahead of this year’s Sir David Amess Summer Adjournment debate, focusing on:

  • Workforce: Recruitment is central to ensure NHS staffing levels keep pace with demand – but these efforts must be complemented by reducing attrition to ensure we retain the skilled staff we already have. New figures published by the RCP reveals that 58% of consultant physicians reported having vacant consultant posts, with an average of 2.2 vacant posts per department.
  • Health inequalities: Reducing health inequalities, and avoidable illness overall, is key to reducing NHS demand and improving the nation’s health and productivity. It is vital that the government’s upcoming Major Conditions Strategy considers the wider determinants of health.
  • Healthcare sustainability and climate change: The climate emergency is a health emergency. Given the public health impacts of climate change, a clear and robust plan to tackle it and reach net zero is vital to prevent worsening population health.