NHS Implements Graduate Guarantee Hiring Nurses Midwives England

The UK government has introduced the "Graduate Guarantee" scheme to ensure newly qualified nurses and midwives in England secure jobs based on projected workforce needs rather than waiting for current vacancies. This proactive recruitment strategy aims to address the mismatch where some areas have up to three times more graduates than available posts, a consequence of increased training during the COVID-19 pandemic and fewer professionals leaving the field. The scheme includes measures such as allowing NHS trusts to hire ahead of vacancies, temporarily converting maternity support worker roles to midwifery positions, and providing a centralized online hub to assist graduates with job applications and placements. Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized the need to support new healthcare professionals from day one to improve patient care and reduce waiting lists. While the Royal College of Nursing and other healthcare leaders welcomed the initiative as a hopeful step, they stressed the importance of retaining new recruits through structured support and ensuring actual job availability. Funding and implementation details remain points of discussion among employers and professional bodies.