Russell Group unveils plan to boost NHS workforce and drive health innovation
Posted on Tuesday 24 March 2026
The group - an association of 24 research-intensive universities, which includes the University of York - said it would work in partnership with the NHS, national and local government, industry and communities to help build a more resilient and sustainable healthcare system.
The move comes as public health services face mounting pressure, with demand continuing to outpace workforce growth and the pace of innovation.
Under the plan, universities aim to train 181,000 students with health and care-related skills by 2030—an increase of more than 15%, or an additional 26,000 students. This includes doctors, dentists, nurses and midwives, as well as engineers, social scientists and technology specialists.
Improving access
Professor Chris Day, Chair of the Russell Group, said: “Few things are more important than protecting the health of the people in this country, but the system is under huge strain.
“Improving access to care and patient outcomes requires a collective effort to build capacity, strengthen the workforce and drive innovation.”
Universities also pledged to widen access to medical careers, expanding initiatives such as gateway courses, summer schools and mentoring schemes.
Alongside workforce expansion, the Russell Group said it would intensify support for life sciences innovation, aiming to help secure around £5bn in annual external investment into spinout companies by 2030.
Partnership
The scale of the ambition is reflected in efforts already under way across Russell Group institutions, including in Yorkshire and the Humber.
The University of York already educates more than 700 medical students, while Russell Group universities across the region collectively train around 18,000 people in health and care-related skills.
A partnership between the University of York and York College and University Centre (YCUC) is showing how local action can help strengthen the pipeline into nursing while widening access to NHS careers.
Like many areas, York relies on a steady flow of newly registered nurses. However, traditional routes into the profession do not always work for everyone. Vocational learners, mature students and those returning to education can find the system difficult to navigate, particularly where competitive admissions processes are involved.
Local training
Since 2024, the two institutions have worked together to create clearer, more accessible pathways into nursing, with the aim of helping local people train locally and move into jobs in nearby health services.
The collaboration focuses on three areas: outreach, hands-on experience and changes to admissions.
The University has also introduced measures to simplify progression. Eligible local students are guaranteed an interview for nursing programmes, with further steps under consideration, including holding interviews on college campuses and creating clearer progression agreements for vocational qualifications.
More widely, the Russell Group said it would launch a nationwide programme of community engagement events, bringing together NHS trusts, councils and charities to identify local health priorities and solutions.
