NHS pension scheme changes could be extended to allow retired staff to retain pension benefits if they return to the workforce.
Since March 2020, certain retire and return rules in the pension scheme have been suspended to allow retired staff to return to work or increase their working commitments without having the payment of their pension benefits suspended. The measures are currently set to run until October 31, 2022, and are being looked at in a consultation to extend the measures to March 31, 2023.
The extension would make it easier for skilled professionals returning to the NHS to deliver high-quality care to patients. It would also help to bolster the workforce ahead of winter so they can continue to bust the covid backlogs.
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Health and social care secretary, Steve Barclay, said: "The country is hugely thankful to all the retired staff who returned to support the NHS and the public during the pandemic. This winter will be challenging too and we are putting in place the necessary preparations to support the NHS while it continues to deliver first-rate care to patients.
"As part of this we are now consulting on extending temporary changes to the NHS pension scheme, which have so far allowed highly-skilled retired staff to return to the workforce without having their pension benefits affected."
To prepare for winter, the government is working closely with the NHS at pace to prepare for the pressures ahead, including by increasing capacity, boosting NHS 111 and 999 support with at least 4,800 staff working in 111 and 2,500 in 999 call rooms to meet high demand, tackling delayed discharge and using new innovations such as virtual wards by creating the equivalent of at least 7,000 more beds.
Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation (which includes NHS Employers), said: "The NHS will need all of the help it can get this winter and so, we are pleased the Government will be consulting on ways to provide support to the NHS’s workforce by encouraging recent and partial retirees back to the frontline.
"This is not the only action that it is needed to respond to the rising demand for healthcare services but leaders hope it will help. On behalf of our members, we look forward to providing views in the consultation."
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