A report by the King's Fund says many experienced workers are quitting the health service because of the heavy workload and ever increasing demands.

With fewer young people taking up jobs in the health service, it is crucial we hold on to experienced and skilled older worker Sandra Meadows The King's Fund

But it says it is crucial that the trend is reversed, and that more people are attracted back to the service.

The report warns that one in five nurses are aged over 50, and eligible for early retirement at 55, while one in four GPs in some parts of the UK are due to retire in the next five to 10 years.

In health professions such as radiography, physiotherapy and occupational therapy, one in five workers are aged between 45 and 54.

The King's Fund report, Great to be Grey, says the NHS must take steps to attract older workers, including the adoption of more flexible working practices and training schemes to provide new skills.

Author Sandra Meadows said: "One in seven workers in the NHS, about 150,000 people, are aged 50 years or over.

"With fewer young people taking up jobs in the health service, it is crucial we hold on to experienced and skilled older workers who have a wealth of knowledge and expertise.

"At the moment older workers are leaving the NHS as they feel over-worked, disillusioned, physically exhausted and stuck in rigid career paths and inflexible working practices."

Flexible working

A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "We acknowledge that a large proportion of healthcare staff are over 50 years old and approaching retirement.

"The number of staff in this category is increasing and this makes it all the more important for us to make the most of their contribution by providing flexible work opportunities and promoting lifelong learning."

She said NHS staff were encouraged to constantly renew and extend their skills, look at alternatives to early retirement and take up options such as flexible working or joining winter registers.

Shadow Health Secretary Dr Liam Fox said: "I thoroughly commend the King's Fund investigation into how the NHS can retain older staff, whose years of experience contribute so valuably to the running of the service.

"As the King's Fund point out, staff are the lifeblood of the NHS.

"It is therefore vital that older staff, with years of priceless experience, should be given the professional freedom they deserve to encourage them to remain within the NHS as long as possible.

"The government must improve staff morale by abolishing its culture of endless targets that deter so many capable staff from staying in the NHS after they reach 50 years of age."