Worst NHS staffing crisis in its history is putting patients at serious risk, MPs warn

MPs on the Commons health and social care select committee have criticised the government’s ‘refusal to do proper workforce planning’. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA

The NHS is facing “the greatest workforce crisis” in its history which is putting patients at serious risk of harm, an influential group of MPs warns today.

In its report, the cross-party Commons health and social care select committee slams the “absence of a credible government strategy” on NHS-wide understaffing and criticises ministers for delaying a blueprint it says is urgently needed to address critical gaps in almost every area of care.