Understanding why health professionals are leaving the UK national health service (NHS) – A systematic review and narrative synthesis

Chukwunwuba R. Onyejesi, Tiffeny James, Kalpa Kharicha, Department of Population Health Sciences, s College London, Institute for Lifecourse Development, University of Greenwich, NIHR Policy Research Unit in Health and Social Care Workforce, s College London

Journal of Health Services Research & Policy

Published online on October 08, 2025

Abstract

Journal of Health Services Research & Policy, Volume 31, Issue 2, Page 125-139, April 2026.
BackgroundThere is a global health care workforce crisis with staff shortages and difficulties with recruitment and retention, including in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). To address this, it is important to understand why people decide to leave ...