Growing Concern: Youngest NHS Workers Report Increasing Levels of Unhappiness

The NHS’s ability to retain Gen Z workers is in question as recent analysis indicates they are increasingly dissatisfied with their work environment.

Experts emphasize that the health service’s future heavily relies on its youngest employees; however, there are growing concerns about job satisfaction among this demographic.

A comprehensive report from the Nuffield Trust involved analyzing 10 years’ worth of data from the NHS Staff Survey, an annual poll taken by healthcare workers.

The report highlighted a concerning trend of rising stress and dissatisfaction among staff in the early years of their careers, according to the think tank.

Between 2013 and 2023, stress levels among clinical staff aged 21 to 30 surged by 14 percentage points, with over half (52 percent) in 2023 reporting being unwell due to work-related stress in the previous year, compared to 38 percent in 2013.

The percentage of NHS staff in England aged 21 to 30 unhappy with their pay increased from 10 percent to 22 percent.

In contrast, there was a slight rise among older staff, from 11 percent in 2013 to 12 percent in 2023.

Some 15 percent of staff aged 21 to 30 expressed that they were not anticipating their roles in 2023, compared to 12 percent in 2013.

The percentage of staff aged 21 to 30 lacking enthusiasm for their work increased from 4 percent in 2013 to 7 percent in 2023 but remained constant at 6 percent for counterparts aged 51 to 65.

The study was released alongside NHS officials’ announcement of a review into the training of resident doctors, previously known as junior doctors.

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

During conflicts between resident doctors and the previous government, which resulted in disruptive strikes across the NHS, numerous issues were raised regarding how medical professionals are treated during their training.

The review will seek feedback on placement options, training staff flexibility, and rota issues, among other matters, according to officials.

Reflecting on the staff survey analysis, Thea Stein, chief executive of the Nuffield Trust, stated: “Our analysis of the NHS Staff Survey delves into responses from over a million staff over two decades, revealing how experiences vary among workers of different ages over time.”

“The initially challenging start faced by the youngest staff has become even more difficult over the past decade, with Gen Z NHS workers now navigating exams, early career demands, and learning the ropes in potentially overstretched services amidst rising living costs pressure.

“Our findings raise significant concerns about the NHS’s ability to retain its youngest employees, who are at the early stages of their careers but are becoming increasingly dissatisfied.

“The health service’s future relies on these employees. It is crucial for policymakers and employers to act on the insights from the NHS’s own staff survey to understand what the next generation of healthcare professionals need to remain and flourish within the NHS.”

Professor Nicola Ranger, general secretary and chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing, warned that the findings “pose a looming threat to the NHS,” and added, “A new nurse today faces intense pressure in severely understaffed settings, stagnant wages, and limited opportunities for advancement.

“Under such conditions, it’s not surprising that many feel undervalued and overworked.

“The number of individuals leaving within the early years of their career has skyrocketed, while applications to study nursing have declined.

“Ministers must recognize that a broken NHS cannot be fixed without making nursing a more appealing profession.”

An NHS England spokesperson reassured, “NHS organizations have made significant improvements to the work environment for staff in recent years, leading to some of the highest staff retention levels in over a decade—with lower sickness and absence rates and increased productivity.

“The NHS remains fully committed to providing the necessary support for staff, offering more flexible working arrangements than ever before, as well as providing various mental health support options for staff, including access to coaching and well-being resources.”