Starting now @CommonsPAC evidence session on #NursingWorkforce. Today is about the @NAOorguk report ( https://www.nao.org.uk/report/nhs-nursing-workforce/), however first question to @CNOEngland is about whether she was dropped from the #COVID19 press conference. You can watch along: https://twitter.com/CommonsPAC/status/1285203177449689091?s=20

1st Q about #Nursing Workforce to @CNOEngland is about the number of nurses that returned to @nmcnews register during #COVID19. Ruth highlights those students that entered the workforce during their studies. Next Q about work to retain those returnees in NHS. @CommonsPAC

. @bernardjenkin asks about the numbers of female nurses. Here's the figures that @Meg_HillierMP highlights the stats from @NAOorguk . @MRadford_HEECN talks about retention work and how it should support both male and female nurses @CommonsPAC

'There is clearly an appetite for reform in social care' Sir Chris Wormald. Qs @CommonsPAC from @gaganmohindra about why the #NHSLongTermPlan #OurNHSPeople plan didn't span social care as well as health. @CNOEngland asked about her involvement in the people plan.

. @CNOEngland says she is well involved in #OurNHSPeople plan with @Prerana_Issar (who is the SRO), and has been since her start. Issar asked about whether plan has been updated dues to #COVID19 @CommonsPAC

Thank goodness for that, @prerana_issar states @CommonsPAC: the people plan is 'ready to be published as soon as possible'. Goes on to say 2 parts; 'one on creating the support on what NHS staff need'.

On the support that staff need @Prerana_Issar, important to remember when thinking about nurses (the focus of todays @CommonsPAC) must consider recent report on female nurse suicide. This was a problem pre #COVID19!: https://sites.manchester.ac.uk/ncish/suicide-by-female-nurses/ @Meg_HillierMP @gaganmohindra

'Has the shift to nursing associates worked?' @gaganmohindra. @CNOEngland highlights the importance of graduate nurses and the 50,000 'ambition'. @CommonsPAC, Lee McDonough talks about her passion for NA as 'increases access, keen to grow this pipeline'.

'What is problem with department getting a grip?' @Meg_HillierMP not letting go on point of social care sector; 'we have a shortage, a challenge of supply'. Wormald talks about vacancy rate in NHS & social care being similar 'work talked about today will benefit both' @CommonsPAC

Qs from @bernardjenkin to Wormald on #NursingWorkforce data @CommonsPAC. McDonough we have 3 main foci; domestic supply, international supply and retention & returners. She highlights the additional money available to student nurses who do higher need fields, #MentalHealth & LD&A

'Nurse are trained not just in the NHS...what's really critical is understanding from our perspective, how many nurses go into that process...but we have always engaged with a large range of stakeholders in social care' @MRadford_HEECN @NHS_HealthEdEng @CommonsPAC

. @bernardjenkin asks @Prerana_Issar 'How do you decide how much money should be devoted to recruitment, and how much directed on retention?' Issar talks about @NursingTimes survey and how there is a large focus on retention. 3 factors from NHS Staff Survey: @CommonsPAC

...Staff feeling the pressure/stress of the intense work they do
The lack of flexibility
Continuous learning & development... So the retention plan is focusing on these. And people rightly asking for a workplace free of discrimination, bullying & harassment @CommonsPAC

. @_OliviaBlake asks @CNOEngland about the high shortage of #MentalHealth and LD nurses. May talks about retention. Blake follows up asking whether there's specific work for the fields. No mention yet of the All England LD and #MentalHealth nursing plans @CommonsPAC