Teaching trust’s staff ‘utterly rinsed and completely wiped out’ by elective targets

A major London trust’s critical care staff have urged leaders to review elective work targets amid serious concerns over workload, safe staffing and burnout, HSJ  has learned.

In a letter to Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation Trust’s board, staff represented by trade union Unite said they had “repeatedly” raised concerns about the provider’s approach to elective work, as well as winter pressures and second wave planning, and the implications this has had for “the health, safety and wellbeing of both staff and patients”. 

The letter — which was also addressed to the trust’s health and safety committee and has been seen by HSJ —  said: “Our primary concern is that the trust’s endeavours, and understandable need to square these circles, may be unrealistic given the current pressures on staffing and the high rates of sickness and burnout the trust is continuing to experience.

“This is especially in critical care, where we are concerned this may compromise patient safety and is already damaging staff wellbeing and morale.”

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Source: HSJ, 18 December 2020