Nurses in NHS hospitals and care homes are facing significant challenges due to persistent understaffing, a recent survey reveals. The Royal College of Nursing reports that workforce shortages are leading to physical and mental health issues among staff, with individuals experiencing nightmares and panic attacks and feeling compelled to work even when unwell.
According to the union, there has been a surge in calls from overwhelmed staff seeking assistance, with the advice line projected to receive the highest volume of calls this year since 2022. A survey involving over 20,000 UK nursing professionals disclosed that 66% admitted to working while sick multiple times annually, a notable increase from 2017’s figure of 49%.
Stress emerged as the primary reason for illness among staff, cited by 65.1% of respondents, up from 50% in 2017. The proportion of individuals reporting working while ill due to stress reached an eight-year peak. Additionally, about 70% of staff are working beyond their scheduled hours at least once a week, with half of them doing so without compensation.
Recent NHS data for June indicates an overall sickness absence rate of 4.9% for NHS staff in England, equating to around one in 20 employees. The absenteeism rate was slightly higher for specific roles, with nurses and health visitors at 5.3%, midwives at 5.7%, and ambulance staff at 5.4%.
Of the sick days taken by NHS staff in June, 29% of full-time equivalent days were due to anxiety and/or stress, with nurses accounting for 28% of this figure. Numerous healthcare workers shared their distressing experiences, highlighting the detrimental impact of understaffing on both their well-being and patient care.
RCN’s General Secretary and Chief Executive, Professor Nicola Ranger, emphasized the toll that working in under-resourced environments is taking on nursing staff. She expressed concern over the unsustainable situation where nurses feel compelled to continue working despite their declining health, ultimately jeopardizing patient care quality.
Responding to these concerns, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson acknowledged the challenges faced by nurses and outlined ongoing efforts to enhance working conditions and support systems within the healthcare sector. Initiatives include the provision of occupational health support, the implementation of new staff standards to promote flexible working arrangements, and measures to address workplace issues such as violence, racism, and harassment.
In conclusion, the current situation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to alleviate the strain on healthcare workers and ensure the sustainability of the healthcare system.