Both face similar obstacles in 2025 and beyond
Education and healthcare have a lot in common.
Both are huge, people-facing sectors with a large public versus private divide.
Both face plenty of stressful situations, especially when dealing with vulnerable individuals.
And both have underpaid front-line workers who often struggle with the demands of the job.
It’s no surprise then that, despite their differences, healthcare and education face many of the same challenges.
This article will look at some of the common obstacles they should each be prepared for.
Perhaps there are lessons that can be learned from the way these two industries rise to the challenges they face.
Recruitment in the face of staff shortages
This is certainly not a problem that is anywhere near exclusive to these two industries, but it is certainly a very pressing issue.
Record volumes of vacant teaching positions have been recorded in the UK, with those leaving their jobs citing pupil behaviour, pay, and inflexible ways of working among the factors driving them to leave the industry.
Meanwhile, huge increases in the number of nurses leaving within years of registering has the healthcare sector worried. 67% more nurses quit between 2021 and 2024 within 5 years of registering. Low staffing levels and a lack of government recognition are some of the key drivers in their decisions.
Against this bleak backdrop, educational establishments and healthcare providers have to find ways to attract and retain talented staff to continue their operations. Addressing why so many staff are leaving may sound daunting, but could be a good opportunity for introspection and change.
Continued budget restraints
There’s nothing new here, particularly when it comes to public funding of schools and hospitals. Money is always tight and will continue to be.
While the pandemic saw a sharp increase in NHS funding to meet the huge burden that COVID-19 placed on it, the decade before saw just a 2% rise in government spending, just over half the longer-term average of 3.8%.
This means that historic underfunding has left many providers with outdated practices, aging equipment, and a lot of catching up to do.
Meanwhile, almost every secondary school in the UK is set to be unable to meet its costs this year. Outsourcing services is just one way that schools have been scrambling to address the deficit.
Regular reorganisation
One of the issues with a publicly funded National Health Service is its reliance on the whims of the current government and its use as a political weapon. This has led to constant reshuffling, restructuring, and reworking as each subsequent party attempts to shape it in their vision.
Schools face similar issues. More than three quarters of multi-academy trusts expect to grow in the next three years, many through the acquisition of new schools, so changes are to be expected across the board there. Navigating these will be key to remaining successful as these trusts become more and more prevalent.
Demographic-driven demand changes
Falling pupil numbers attributed to low birth rates have left schools with a conundrum: their high costs are mostly fixed, but their funding is dropping with every fewer face through the door. Primary school numbers will likely continue to decline, and secondary schools won’t be far behind. Filling their places will be a key priority for many schools in the next few years.
The NHS is also facing a change in demand, but one driven by a different demographical quirk. People are living for longer, but many are doing so despite serious health conditions, such as cancer and dementia.
This is putting extra pressure on healthcare providers to address current needs while also looking for ways to lessen future need through education and outreach, particularly in poorer communities where these conditions are more likely to develop at a young age.
With so much recent change and uncertainty in the world, these two industries must continue to look for ways to innovate and adapt to keep delivering great service to their pupils and patients.