Nurses in NHS hospitals and care homes are facing severe physical and emotional tolls due to ongoing understaffing, a concerning survey reveals. The Royal College of Nursing reports that workforce shortages are leading to staff experiencing nightmares, panic attacks, and feeling compelled to work even when unwell.
The union is inundated with calls from overwhelmed employees, with the number of inquiries this year on track to surpass levels seen in 2022. A survey of over 20,000 UK nursing professionals shows a significant increase in the frequency of staff working while sick, with 66% admitting to doing so multiple times annually, up from 49% in 2017.
Stress emerges as the primary factor contributing to illnesses among staff, cited by 65.1%, a notable rise from 50% in 2017. The proportion of individuals reporting working while sick due to stress has reached an eight-year peak. Additionally, around 70% of nurses are exceeding their contracted hours weekly, with approximately half of them working unpaid overtime.
Recent NHS data for June indicates an overall sickness absence rate of 4.9% for staff in England, translating to about one in 20 employees being absent due to illness. Notably, nurses and health visitors had a higher absence rate at 5.3%, with midwives and ambulance staff also experiencing elevated rates.
An alarming 29% of total lost working days in June among NHS staff were attributed to anxiety and stress, with nurses accounting for 28% of these cases. Stories shared by healthcare professionals depict a grim reality of chronic stress-related illnesses, nightmares, and fears of unsafe working conditions due to staffing shortages.
RCN’s General Secretary and Chief Executive, Professor Nicola Ranger, emphasizes the toll on nursing staff’s wellbeing, stating that the current situation is unsustainable. She highlights the immense pressure on nurses caring for numerous patients simultaneously, leading to detrimental impacts on both patient care and staff welfare.
In response, the Department of Health and Social Care acknowledges the challenges faced by nurses and outlines measures being taken to address the situation. Initiatives include enhancing occupational health support, implementing staff standards to promote flexible working arrangements, and addressing workplace issues such as violence, racism, and harassment. Efforts are also underway to create more job opportunities for qualified nurses and midwives to alleviate the burden on existing staff.