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Health Services: Coastal Areas and Rural Areas

Asked by Martin WrigleyLiberal DemocratDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 20 April 2026UIN 126850

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what support is provided to recruit and retain staff in coastal and rural health economies such as Torbay and South Devon.

Answered by Karin Smyth

Decisions about recruitment are a matter for individual National Health Service employers, who manage this at a local level to ensure they have the staff they need to deliver safe and effective care.

As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, the Government is committed to making the NHS the best place to work, by supporting and retaining our hardworking and dedicated healthcare professionals.

The Government is committed to publishing a 10 Year Workforce Plan to set out action to create a workforce ready to deliver the transformed service set out in the 10-Year Health Plan. The 10 Year Workforce Plan will ensure the NHS has the right people in the right places, with the right skills to care for patients, when they need it.

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