More than two-thirds of healthcare workers say they have been burned out during the pandemic, and three-fifths (62%) say they’ve felt following long, demanding shifts. UNISON is concerned that many NHS workers who have already seen numerous waves of the virus will leave, putting the NHS at risk.
- NHS staff are being asked to cover extra shifts due to staff shortages, according to a survey by the Unison union of more than 10,000 health workers. The union cautions that when more NHS staff become ill with omicron and delta variations in the coming weeks, the situation might increase.
- More than half of NHS staff regularly work beyond their contracted hours. One in five (21%) do so two or three times a week, and 14% put in extra hours on every shift. Four in ten (40%) health workers have had to take time off work for mental health reasons during the pandemic.
- The Unison union has warned that employees are having panic attacks and are worried about contracting the Covid-19 strain of the coronavirus pandemic. Demand on the NHS was already at record levels before the increased strain, but the union claims that the pressure will only increase.
Ms. Gorton called Prime Minister Boris Johnson to address the workforce shortage by investing in the NHS.
“An inflation-busting wage rise paid early in the new year would be a good start,” she added.
“This might just be enough to persuade experienced staff to stay.”
The results are based on 10,602 replies from medical professionals in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. They worked for the NHS (90 percent) as well as subsidiary firms, private contractors, and nonprofits in the health sector. Data from the survey is available upon request. The study was conducted by Unison from October 8 to October 29, 2021. UNISON is the largest union in the United Kingdom, with over 1.3 million members working in education, local government, the NHS, the police force, and energy.