The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) has raised fresh concerns about workforce retention across its 15 regulated professions, warning that high attrition rates could undermine long-term fitness to practise oversight and public protection.
New data published via the HCPC’s Data and Insights Hub reveals that one in ten newly registered professionals leave the register within four years, with internationally trained registrants facing even steeper drop-off rates—nearly one in three exit within the same period.
The HCPC’s Chief Executive, Bernie O’Reilly, emphasized that retention must remain a top strategic priority for employers, educators, and policymakers. “We cannot afford to lose skilled professionals at this rate,” he said.
“Retention is not just a workforce issue—it’s a public safety issue. If we’re not retaining registrants, we’re losing the ability to monitor and support their fitness to practise over time.”
The regulator highlighted that retention challenges are particularly acute in professions such as paramedicine and biomedical science, where demand is high and working conditions are often intense.
The HCPC’s data hub aims to support workforce planners by offering granular insights into registration trends, exit patterns, and demographic shifts. As the NHS moves to reduce reliance on international recruitment, the HCPC is calling for targeted retention strategies that address wellbeing, career progression, and regulatory support.
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