I’m grateful to
Carole for telling me about a Guardian article which refers to this UNISON
(Health Workers Union) report. Here’s their press release;
14 Apr 2014 10:00
NHS nurses reaching
danger point
A new survey of almost 3,000 nurses from across the
UK reveals a health service under severe strain, with 65% of staff saying that
they did not have enough time with patients and 55% reporting that as a result
care was left undone. This is despite the fact that 50% worked through
their breaks or beyond their shift.
The survey - undertaken on Tuesday 4 March - shows
a typical ‘day in the life’ of the NHS. The majority (60%) felt that the number
of staff working on the day resulted in a lower standard of care and more
shocking still were statistics showing that 45% of nurses were caring for 8 or
more patients
Despite the many recent investigations into the
NHS, the survey report* – Running on Empty – exposes clear failings
to improve staffing levels. The impact on patients was plain to see. A worrying
48% of respondents described their organisation as either being at risk of a
similar situation to Mid Staffs, or stated that it was already happening
inparts, or across their hospital.
UNISON’s report highlights research that
demonstrates the clear link between appropriate patient staff ratios and
patient mortality. Independent evidence shows that nursing cutbacks are
directly linked to higher patient death rates in hospitals. In addition, when a
nurse or healthcare assistant is responsible for eight or more patients, harm
is occurring.
Gail Adams, UNISON Head of Nursing, said:
“One of the most damaging findings of this survey
is how little has changed since last year. Despite all the Government
rhetoric, despite the Francis, Keogh and Cavendish reports, the spectre of
another Mid Staffs still looms large over the NHS. Progress on safe staffing
levels has been glacial and that means poorer care and patients still at
risk.
“It’s clear that despite nurses working through
breaks and beyond their hours, they simply do not have enough time to give
patients the care and attention they need. That is distressing for
patients and for the staff trying to care for them. The Coalition
Government needs to face up to the damage it is inflicting on patients and
staff, by not introducing legally enforceable nurse to patient ratios, and take
urgent action.”
The over-use of bank and agency staff is also
exposed in the survey with 45% of staff reporting that they worked alongside
one or more agency/bank workers. UNISON has always supported their use to cover
holidays or unexpected gaps, but the regular use of these staff is not cost
effective or in the best interests of patients.
The union points to anecdotal evidence that some
hospitals draft in bank or agency staff for the duration when they are
expecting a CQC inspection.
Gail Adams, went on to say:
"Relying on bank or agency nurses because of
understaffing is a false economy. It is frustrating for existing staff
because they are often unfamiliar with the ward and it is unfair on patients
who experience a lack of continuity of care. The answer is to ensure that
there are sufficient established nursing posts to provide safe dignified and
compassionate care."
Key Findings
·
Three quarters
of all midwives and 71% of all nurses (general and mental health) said they did
not have adequate time with each patient.
·
59% of all
nurses on a night shift said there were elements of care they were unable to
give.
·
92% supported
minimum staffing levels, with 65% supporting a legally enforceable minimum.
·
45% of staff
were looking after 8 or more patients during their shift, this increased to 53%
on night duty.
·
Despite National
Quality Board guidance, only 24% of workplaces displayed indented number of
staff on duty.
·
Just over half
(51%) were not confident about raising concerns locally, which, in a post
Francis era, is worrying.
Some typical comments taken from the survey
findings:
“I have been pressured to take admissions when due
to lack of staff it has not been safe to do it.”
“On occasions, staffing levels are bordering on
dangerous. We are in a Mid Staffs situation and I don’t believe we are
the only ones.”
“Both my staff and I frequently have to work alone
which is very unsafe.”
“I did not feel able to provide the type of care I
would have liked to the patients. It felt more like a conveyor
belt. No compassion, little dignity, I left at the end of my shift
feeling distraught and that perhaps I have made a huge mistake training as a
registered nurse.”
“My department is running at VERY UNSAFE levels due
to inadequate staffing.”
“I am the only qualified nurse on a 13 hour
shift, so I don’t get a break during these shifts. You get tired. It’s
unsafe.
“Some shifts are now 100% bank staff.”
“We have patients that need to be monitored closely
following procedures or during therapy, with many needing to be checked on an
hourly basis. That cannot be done when there is a ratio of one nurse to
11 patients.
“I felt I was being bullied to take extra patients
from A&E.”
Staffing levels in the NHS will be debated at the
UNISON annual healthcare conference in Brighton between 13-15 April 2014.
ends
Notes to Editors
UNISON is sharing details of any hospitals named as
having failings on a par with Mid Staffordshire Foundation Trust with the Care
Quality Commission prior to publication of the survey.
The areas of care in which respondents worked on 4
March covered the whole spectrum of healthcare. This included A&E,
paediatrics, elderly care, community mental health, critical care, general
practice, learning disabilities, medical, mental health (inpatients as well as
secure unit) obstetrics and gynaecology, surgical, rehabilitation and theatre.
The report, "Running on Empty – NHS staff
stretched to the limit" is available
Neil Harris
(a don’t stop till you drop production)
Home: helpmesortoutthenhs.blogspot.comContact: neilwithpromisestokeep@gmail.com
