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News Article
More than 90% of female doctors have faced sexism at work, finds BMA
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
A new report from the British Medical Association has published results showing 9 in 10 female doctors have experienced sexism at work in the UK, including unwanted physical contact, denial of opportunities and being asked to massage male colleagues in meetings. The findings showed 91% of female doctors have experienced sexism at work, almost one-third (31%) of female doctors had experienced unwanted physical conduct in their workplace, and two in five (42%) of female and male doctors who had witnessed or experienced sexism felt that they could not report it. A female GP has said "I was asked at an interview if I was planning on having children. I’ve had patients refusing to see me as they want to see a proper – i.e. male – doctor … Advised I was not pretty enough to cause a distraction in meetings so they could treat me like a bloke.” Danny Mortimer, the deputy chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents hospital trusts, said "NHS organisations are working hard to make sure their staff do not experience sexism, or indeed, any form of discrimination, and Amanda Pritchard’s recent appointment [as NHS England’s new chief executive] signals a more representative leadership. But as this report makes clear, there is far more work to be done.” Read full story. Source: The Guardian, 26 August 2021 -
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NHS fears ‘mass exodus’ of staff as mental health absences soar in 2021
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
NHS leaders and experts have warned healthcare staff will leave their roles in a "mass exodus" unless exhausted doctors and nurses are given better support. This comes as reports earlier this year showed many healthcare staff are suffering from burnout. “From April onwards we’ve seen a significant rise in mental health cases, and it shows no sign of stopping,” Steve Carter, director of consulting services at FirstCare, told a panel of MPs and peers on Tuesday. “We need to address the mental health issue quickly if we are to get through the winter.” Read full story. Source: The Independent, 25 August 2021 -
News Article
GPs facing torrent of abuse and violence as patient frustration boils over
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
According to reports, GPs and healthcare staff are receiving a torrent of abuse and threats of violence from patients, with some surgeries being sent hate mail, bomb threats and graffiti. This rise in abusive behaviour comes as GP's become overwhelmed with demand, often working many hours overtime with delays being able to get to appointments due to staff shortages. Professor Martin Marshall, chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said: “It’s entirely unacceptable for anyone working in general practice to be at the receiving end of abuse of any kind, let alone the threat of physical violence. General practice has been open throughout the pandemic, and face-to-face appointments have been offered wherever safe and appropriate. Read full story. Source: The Independent, 23 August 2021 -
News ArticleMidwives at Suffolk Hospital have spoken out in a whistleblowing letter describing problems in their department as ‘demoralising and heartbreaking’. In the letter, written by midwives who declined to give their names "for fear of retribution", describe constant staff shortages, a culture of blame and fear, a high pressure environment and substandard care, saying " We entered midwifery to be able to give women centred, holistic care. Instead it feels like we are being overwhelmed by the unmanageable and relentless workload, and as a result are giving substandard care which is demoralising and heartbreaking. We are all feeling like we are now desperate for change. This change is beyond what we can achieve ourselves so we urge you to please help us to generate it. It should not be accepted or tolerated for us to be forced into giving unsafe care entirely due to unsafe staffing". In response, Karen Newbury, head of midwifery at the trust, said: “We are working exceptionally hard to recruit additional midwives and we are very grateful for the flexibility and dedication of our staff in ensuring that we provide a safe and caring service – this was recognised by our Care Quality Commission inspection in April which found we managed safety well. We have recently completed recruitment so there will be at least two senior midwives on every shift to provide flexible and experienced support to our maternity teams, and we are working with colleagues regionally to recruit staff both locally and internationally as well as running a full student training programme.” Read full story. Source: Suffolk News, 20 August 2021
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Fifty senior doctors ask CEO for protection against bullying
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
Fifty senior consultants from a minority ethnic background at University Hospitals North Midlands have written to Tracy Bullock and trust chair David Wakefield asking for action to ‘protect’ staff from bullying behaviours following an internal survey in which 348 medics claimed to have experienced bullying and harassment. In a subsequent letter on 5 August, seen by HSJ, 50 doctors have now said: “We are forced to express our concerns over the prevailing poor culture within our organisation with most senior medical staff presently reporting they have suffered or witnessed first-hand discrimination, bullying, harassment, or victimisation. We… ask for urgent action by the executive and non-executive boards to immediately implement measures to protect senior medical staff from unacceptable ill-treatment.” A separate external review is now understood to have been commissioned amid concerns over bullying within ophthalmology services. Read full story (paywalled). Source: HSJ, 19 August 2021- Posted
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Vaccinated nurses will now be ‘expected to return to work’ instead of isolating
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
Vaccinated nurses will now be expected to return to work instead of isolating as new rules are set to relax. In a letter on the latest rule change from NHS England chief nursing officer Ruth May, chief people officer Prerana Issar, and medical director for primary care Dr Nikita Kanani said “Fully vaccinated staff and students who are identified as a contact of a positive Covid-19 case will no longer be expected to isolate and will be expected to return to work.” Staff returning to work are required to have been double jabbed, have no Covid-19 symptoms and receive a negative PCR test. This latest change in rules go in line with changes for the wider population. Read full story. Source: Nursing Times, 16 August 2021- Posted
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Night shifts linked to heart problems, study finds
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
A new study has found night shifts are "significantly associated" with health issues related to the heart, particularly atrial fibrillation, finding that women may be at a greater risk. The research, published in the European Heart Journal also found working night shifts is linked to an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). “Night shift exposure also increased the risk of CHD (coronary heart disease) but not stroke or HF (heart failure). Whether decreasing night shift work frequency and duration might represent another avenue to improve heart health during working life and beyond warrants further study,” the paper said. Read full story. Source: The Independent, 16 August 2021- Posted
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Banning drinking water for staff on wards ‘misguided’, warns union
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
Nursing and maternity staff have reported that they are unable to have water with them whilst working, meaning some are unable to drink water for 12 hours due to work pressures. The Royal College of Midwives in updated guidance are calling for "common sense" from NHS trusts and boards on staff access to water and other drinks, particularly as staff are having to wear more PPE than before the pandemic began. Dr Mary Ross-Davie, director for professional midwifery at the RCM, said: “Some trusts and boards have banned water bottles in clinical areas, which means that our members are often going 12 hours with no break and no water. We are appealing to those services to apply common sense, to recognise that this application of infection control is misguided and to look after the health and wellbeing of their staff.” Read full story (paywalled). Source: Nursing Times, 11 August 2021 -
News Article
Doctors have faced “worrying levels of abuse” in past month, BMA reports
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
New data has revealed doctors are experiencing “worrying levels of abuse” during the Codi-19 crisis. In a survey, doctors (51% of respondents) have reported that they have witnessed violence and abuse against other staff, with 67% showing this was particularly high for those working in general practice. We cannot let people take out their frustration at a system on individual doctors or their colleagues, who truly are doing their best in the most difficult of situations. Even before the pandemic we were vastly understaffed, and abusive behaviour will drive more and more talented and experienced doctors away from the NHS at a time when we need them most . . . We urge our patients to afford the same compassion to staff that they are shown in hospital, after what has been the most horrific year of our careers.” Said The chair of the BMA’s Consultants Committee, Vishal Sharma. Overall results for the abuse questions are here, and broken down by healthcare setting here. Read full story. Source: BMJ, 10 August 2021 -
News Article
Leap in mental health absences among NHS staff
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
According to data shared with HSJ, the amount of NHS staff taking time off for their mental health has leapt in the past few months. The data, collected by FirstCare and covering 46,000 NHS staff from nine trusts, showed mental health absences from May to June of this year was at least 20 per cent up on April and 35 per cent up on February with more than 40 per cent up on the same months last year. “Trust leaders remain acutely aware of the impact that the pandemic, coupled with existing NHS pressures, is having on the workforce. They are deeply concerned about their staff’s mental health and wellbeing and are doing what they can to look after their staff, but they cannot do this sustainably without a fully costed and funded multi-year workforce plan.” Said NHS Providers chief executive Chris Hopson. Read full story (paywalled). Source: HSJ, 6 August 2021 -
News ArticleAn open letter has been published calling for the end of Covid-related abuse against healthcare staff, with leading health organisations coming together to unite against the rising tide of violence against nurses and other NHS staff. The letter was signed by nine representatives including the Royal College of Nursing and Royal College of Midwives and warned of the “unacceptable behaviours”, a move that comes after he chief executive and general secretary of the RCM, Gill Walton, received online threats after she supported a national appeal for pregnant women to get the Covid-19 vaccine. “To those who issue death threats or incite violence against us, we say enough is enough”, Ms Walton has said. Read full story. Source: The Nursing Times, 4 August 2021
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Shielding staff say they were forced back to work without a risk assessment
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
According to a UK-wide survey conducted in April 2021, significant numbers of "extremely vulnerable" clinicians have said they were forced to go back to work without having an appropriate risk assessment in line with official guidance. The survey, recording 124 respondents, found 38% had yet to receive a risk assessment despite returning to work with the comments section entries including complaints around “bullying from peers” and “difficult” working relationships. “NHS organisations have been working hard to look after all their staff during these challenging times, and will be aware that the right support is especially important to meet the various needs of staff who are clinically extremely vulnerable." Paul Deemer, head of diversity and inclusion at NHS Employers has said. Read full story (paywalled). Source: HSJ, 4 August 2021- Posted
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Senior trust medics complain of ‘excessively authoritarian’ management
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
Senior doctors in the radiology services at the University Hospitals North Midlands Trust have reported a ‘toxic’ culture and feelings that managers had been ‘excessively authoritarian’. In a letter sent by medical director John Oxtoby on 13 July, consultants who had been interviewed as part of an external review, have reported the culture within the department was “unhealthy and even toxic, and that this was impacting to some degree nearly all of the consultants interviewed” “It is clear from this work that as well as the need to tackle working relationships and some behaviours in the department, there is a huge amount of collective pride in the services delivered by the department.” Said Mr Oxtoby. Read full story (paywalled). Source: HSJ, 3 August 2021- Posted
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Hospital staff complain to regulator about bullying, harassment and racism
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
Hospital staff at the Royal London Hospital have complained about bullying, harassment, racism and sexism during an inspection by the care watchdog. After conducting a review of the imagining department at the Royal London Hospital and Whipps Cross Hospital, there are now concerns over the culture of the service and conflict between staff. With both hospitals being overseen by Barts Health NHS Trust, chief executive Dame Alwen Williams has said “We will be ensuring staff have the resources to sustain improvements we need to make and there is appropriate oversight and processes in place for escalating wellbeing issues. We have a responsibility to listen to what our hard working team are saying, and respond appropriately and sensitively." Read full story. Source: The Independent, 30 July 2021 -
News Article
Paramedics abused and assaulted while on duty, survey reveals
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
New data has revealed hundreds of paramedics experience physical assault and verbal abuse whilst serving the public. According to NHS, there has been a 32 per cent rise in assault against paramedics over the past 5 years, with more than 1,600 saying they had been threatened while on duty or feared for their own lives. Now, ambulance trusts are aiming to fit paramedics with body cameras while the West Midlands have CCTV inside their ambulances. "After years of lobbying, the legislation is now in place to ensure that the worst offenders are severely and appropriately dealt with. The problem is that the law is not being used to full effect and sentences are still far too lenient. We are calling today on the courts to step up and impose the harshest penalties available to them." Said Tracy Nicholls, chief executive of the College of Paramedics. Read full story. Source: The Independent, 28 July 2021- Posted
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News ArticleThe care watchdog has warned patient care may be being affected by the current pressures on the NHS with healthcare workers suffering significant levels of stress. Concerns have been raised in recent weeks after a surge in Covid-19 infections has resulted in record numbers of people calling for ambulances and attending emergency departments, overwhelming the service. Professor Ted Baker, the Care Quality Commission’s chief inspector of hospitals has said “It's imperative that not only do we deal with the immediate pressures on the system, we also need to deal with the underlying problems with the models of care. If we don't do that, patients will not be able to receive the care we want them to, and the pressure on staff to provide care under these difficult circumstances will continue.” Read full story. Source: The Independent, 22 July 2021
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News ArticleThe Royal College of Nursing has demanded the health secretary is made fully accountable for the planning and supply of nursing staff in England. As the Health and Care Bill passes through parliament, the RCN insists key changes need to be made to Bill to enable the workforce crisis to be appropriately addressed, including ensuring that the commissioning of services is done in partnership with local communities and ensuring that the voices of experts such as royal colleges are part of the regulation of the profession. Read full story. Source: RCN, 17 July 2021
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Some double-jabbed NHS staff to avoid isolation
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
Some frontline NHS staff who have been double vaccinated may be allowed to continue working even if they are exposed to someone who has Covid-19. This decision comes after concerns were raised regarding staff shortages and where absences could result in "significant harm". Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said: "As we learn to live with this virus, it's important that we ensure frontline staff can keep providing the best possible care and support to people up and down the country. These new rules will fortify our collective defences against this awful virus, by allowing fully vaccinated frontline NHS and social care staff to continue to work when needed." Read full story. Source: BBC News, 19 July 2021- Posted
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Face masks and ventilation needed after July 19th
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
The Royal College of Nursing has written to the Prime Minister demanding continued protective measures after the loosening of restrictions on July 19th. In a joint letter with the British Medical Association, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, British Dental Association and College of Optometrists, they ask for support and protection for healthcare staff. The letter says “The need to recognise health and care settings as unique environments for the care and safety of the most vulnerable is paramount. While you state that you would expect the public to continue wearing face coverings in healthcare settings, we ask that this is translated into action". Read full story. Source: RCN, 14 July 2021 -
News Article
'We feel bullied' say emergency department staff
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
In November last year, Unison and RCN raised concerns with NHS Forth Valley chief executive Cathie Cowan amid bullying claims made by emergency department staff at Forth Valley Royal Hospital. In light of the reports of bullying, a review was commissioned and leaked details revealed junior doctors were left unsupervised on shifts, nurses and doctors had said they are 'battle-weary', and many senior staff members have resigned their posts. Karren Morrison, Unison Forth Valley health branch secretary has said: ‘Last year, concerns were being raised by our members who worked in, or who had previously worked in the ED. Staff talked to us about feeling bullied and intimidated, being frightened to speak up, concerns about the delivery of safe patient care, high staff turnover and other issues.’ Read full story (paywalled). Source: Nursing Standard, 12 July 2021- Posted
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Covid-19 vaccinators facing abuse by people seeking second jab early
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
NHS staff have faced abuse by members of the public after demanding their second dose of the jab earlier than 8 weeks so they can go on holiday. A doctors has said covid-19 vaccinators are experiencing aggression and threats from people and after one incident, police had to be called over fears for safety. Chair of the Royal College of GPs, Professor Martin Marshall has said: “It is understandable that people want to be fully vaccinated as soon as possible. But it is entirely unacceptable for anybody working on the Covid vaccination programme, be it in GP-led sites, mass vaccination centres or hospital centres, to be at the receiving end of verbal abuse and intimidation. Read full story. Source: The Guardian, 10 July 2021- Posted
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NHS staff face 'dread and anxiety' as virus cases surge again
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
A frontline respiratory consultant has said, “Healthcare professionals are deeply anxious about the impact of relaxing restrictions further given the current surge in Covid cases. To do away with risk-mitigating measures like social distancing and wearing of masks is incomprehensible to many of us. I feel anxious and frustrated". Hospitals in Yorkshire and North of England may also be experiencing a fourth wave. Dr Nick Scriven has told The Guardian, “Us up north are experiencing a fourth wave in community cases, with an uptick in hospital cases. Although numbers are not massive it’s both frightening and upsetting for staff as ICU cases are rising with unvaccinated people, either as they are young or by choice or both. There is to me a growing feeling that vaccination makes this almost preventable.” Read full story. Source. The Guardian, 9 July 2021 -
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New FFP3 respirators may cut infection risk
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
New FFP3 masks may reduce likelihood of infection rates, a new study finds. After healthcare workers used the masks when on Covid-19 wards, the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infections was found to be lowered by a significant amount. Since the study, Public Health England have updated its guidance which now requires NHS organisations to provide FFP3 respirators where appropriate. Read full story. Source: BMJ, 29 June 2021- Posted
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Updated toolkit for better working environments for nurses
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
The Royal College of Nursing has updated their Healthy Workplace toolkit to include the need for nurses to stay hydrated during their shifts and to take their at-work breaks. The toolkit was designed to improve health and wellbeing for nurses working in all areas of healthcare. It also includes pandemic-specific advice and an aim to improve working environments for nursing staff. Read full story. Source: Royal College of Nursing, 21 June 2021 -
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Rise in sharps injuries among nurses
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
New research shows a rise in sharps injuries among healthcare workers around Europe over the last year. Respondents of the research said the rise in sharps injuries may be due to staff shortages and higher pressures and stress on healthcare staff. The survey, which covered more than 300,000 healthcare workers, found workers were being put at unnecessary risk of contracting deadly diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C, with nurses being the ones primarily affected by the sharps injuries. The article concludes that more interventions need to be done to protect healthcare workers. Read full story Source: The Brussels Times, 15 June 2021- Posted
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