The NHS has been under an enormous amount of strain in the past year and a half. NHS workers are exhausted, resources are depleted, and the organisation is hanging on by a thread. The NHS is an integral part of the UK and employs a whopping 1.2 million people. More than half of those individuals are clinically qualified, and a third are supporting clinical staff. The NHS offers high-quality care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and efforts are continuously made to improve the service.
However, with overworked staff and a worldwide pandemic, it’s no surprise that the NHS has seen record levels of medical negligence claims and costs. Medical negligence is when a medical professional provides substandard care that either injures the patient or worsens their existing condition. Medical negligence can happen in multiple ways, from misdiagnosis to surgical errors. It can leave a lasting impact on the patient and have devasting consequences on their mental and physical health.
Overworked and overtired NHS workers are far more likely to make mistakes at work. A recent survey by UNISON found that three-quarters of NHS workers said there is not enough staff on their ward, and as a result, two-thirds worried about patient safety. Staff shortages can have a direct impact on patient care. NHS workers rarely leave work on time, and more than 70% are not paid for working overtime.
Many NHS workers feel undervalued at work and unsatisfied with their pay. Christina McAnea, UNISON Head of Health, said:
“NHS staff are overworked and underpaid. They come into work early, work through their breaks and rarely leave on time. The NHS depends on the goodwill and commitment of the workforce, and this is now at breaking point. Years of pay freezes, and the rise in the cost of living means our members are struggling to make ends meet.”
The NHS is approaching an ‘emergency’ level as workers reach NHS and social care staff reach burnout. Immediate action needs to be enforced to support those who worked throughout the pandemic. However, staff shortages spread across several specialities, and there is an increasing demand for NHS services. Many specialities have closed temporarily or, in some cases, permanently because of the risks to patient safety. The NHS workforce is facing a crisis, and they need more staff to carry out high-quality patient care.
The NHS barely survived the covid-19 pandemic. Wards overflowed with covid-19 patients, resources were scarce, and NHS workers worked tirelessly against the disease. As restrictions are starting to lift and the world returns to normal, the NHS will hopefully enter a period of recovery. Staff need to be supported for their hard work during the last year and a half so they can continue to provide excellent care to the British public.
