Workforce not available to make new backlog plans viable

The Department of Health and Social Care unveiled plans to expand the use of community diagnostic centres (CDCs) into an additional 19 areas while announcing the formation of a elective recovery task force chaired by a minister.

However, Karen Middleton, chief executive of the CSP, raised concerns about how the centres would be staffed given the ongoing workforce crisis.

‘The intention is good and the early results from other CDCs are encouraging but there simply aren’t the staff available to run these services,’ she said.

'This again highlights the need for the government to bring forward the much-needed workforce plan and for it to be based on evidence from healthcare professionals in hospitals, and primary and community care.

‘There is emerging evidence that this consultation isn’t happening so it is to be hoped that the taskforce makes it agenda item one.’