Resolved-

This Council notes:

-          There is a risk of a national skills gap and recruitment crisis in health and social care

-    The risk is heightened by the Government’s decision to cut bursaries for student nurses, which has led to a 23% drop in enrolments. The uncertainty around the employment of EU nationals post-Brexit adds to the risk.

This Council recognises this is a national issue but we want to do what we can here in Bradford. We are committed to working with partners in the district to address skills and recruitment challenges in health and social care. We resolve to:

-    instruct the Strategic Director of Children’s Services to launch a health and social care Industrial Centre of Excellence (ICE)

-    support the University of Bradford’s bid to open a medical school

-          help to develop improved career pathways for health and social care professionals.

ACTION:       Strategic Director Children’s Services /Strategic Director Health and Wellbeing