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Content ArticleSession recordings from the ISQua 'Hospital Workers' Wellbeing Matters' conference.
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Event
'DO NO HARM' documentary screening
Patient Safety Learning posted an event in Community Calendar
untilA screening of 'DO NO HARM', a 60-minute documentary that discusses physician burnout and suicide followed by a 60-minute panel discussion. Doctors take an oath to save lives, yet they are taking their own at an alarming rate, trapped in a toxic healthcare system that puts their patients' lives at risk. This film and panel discussion bring awareness to the topic of this epidemic that's been covered up for decades until now. Register -
Content Article
It has become imperative that we discuss the issue of mental health in doctors and other healthcare staff. The mental wellbeing of a healthcare staff forms the bedrock of patient safety. It takes a safe and supported person to deliver safe healthcare and we must give this attention as we try to find ways to improve the quality of care within our healthcare systems. Ehi Iden, hub topic lead for Occupational Health and Safety, OSHAfrica, reflects on the increasing workload and pressure healthcare professionals face, the impact this has on patient safety and why we need to start 're-humanising' the workplace. -
EventThis conference focuses on supporting staff who have been involved in patient safety incidents, or are the subject of complaints or claims. Involvement in an incident, complaint or claim can have severe consequences on staff who may experience a range of reactions including stress, depression, shame and guilt. This conference will enable you to: Network with colleagues who are working to support staff following incidents, complaints or claims. Understand national developments including the requirements in the 2020 Patient Safety Incident Response Framework. Reflect on how we can better support staff experiencing these issues through COVID-19. Deliver a just culture that supports consistent, constructive and fair evaluation of the actions of staff involved in patient safety incidents. Reflect on a healthcare’s professionals personal experience of being the subject of an incident investigation. Improve immediate support and debriefing when an incident occurs. Develop your skills in providing the staff member involved in a patient safety incident specific individual support or intervention to work safely. Understand how you can improve processes for ensuring candour and supporting staff. Identify key strategies for interviewing staff and taking statements and preparing staff for Coroner’s Inquests. Ensure you are up to date with the latest developments in psychological support for staff including building resilience. Self assess and reflect on your own practice. Gain CPD accreditation points contributing to professional development and revalidation evidence. Register
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News Article
Two in five NHS staff feel anxious, NHS England reports
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Around 40% of NHS staff reported feeling anxious during the recent coronavirus surge, but results were 10 percentage points worse for minority ethnic workers, according to NHS England’s surveys. Prerana Issar, NHSE chief people officer, highlighted national data from the health service’s ‘people pulse’ survey during a Commons health and social care committee hearing. The survey was launched last July to help gauge how the health service’s workforce was coping with the pressures of the pandemic, asking questions such as whether they felt supported, motivated, or anxious and what made the biggest difference to their experience at work. It involves findings from 114 local NHS organisations. Ms Issar said the percentage of staff who reported they were feeling supported “was at a high of 68% during the first few months and started dipping from November onwards to 62%. It is still at 62%”. Meanwhile, the share of those “feeling anxious” was at a “low” of 29% during the summer and autumn but has since increased to 40%. The 40% finding may seem surprisingly low to many, considering the enormous impact of the winter surge of coronavirus demand, the very widespread extra asks of staff, potential health risks, and redeployment of roles. Ms Issar added: “We have seen ‘feeling supported’ come down a little bit and ‘feeling anxious’ go up, and we used that feedback to then augment our offer and communication.” Read full story (paywalled) Source: HSJ, 24 February 2021 -
News Article
Sharp drop in patient goodwill towards NHS since autumn
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Patient positivity about NHS hospital services suffered a sharp drop during the autumn, and satisfaction with access is now well below pre-pandemic levels, according to analysis exclusively shared with HSJ. The analysis of social media and online sentiment by PEP Health appears to show that a surge of goodwill towards the health service during the first covid peak last spring dissipated last autumn. At that time, the first-wave peak had passed, but hospitals were getting a lot busier — with more emergency attendances, and efforts to get planned appointments and procedures back close to normal levels. Emergency departments were coming under strain, coping with infection control measures, and large numbers of very long waits for elective care had built up. The drop in positive feeling towards NHS hospitals was particularly felt between October and January, especially with concerns over the speed of access to health services. The work only covers acute hospital services. One hospital chief executive told HSJ the change in patient sentiment was palpable at the frontline. “There is quite a lot of chippiness from patients and relatives. The ‘we love the NHS’ feels a very long lost memory. “We see a lot of chippiness to staff, and aggression and irritability — which is understandable because everyone’s been waiting a long time — but is really unhelpful because everyone [staff are] knackered and trying to do their best.” Read full story (paywalled) Source: HSJ, 22 February 2021 -
News Article
NHS sets up mental health hubs for staff traumatised by Covid
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
The NHS is setting up dozens of mental health hubs to help staff who have been left traumatised by treating Covid patients during the pandemic. There is mounting concern that large numbers of frontline workers have experienced mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder over the last year. NHS personnel will be able to ring one of the 40 new hubs in England, receive advice and be referred for support from psychologists, mental health nurses, therapists and recovery workers. Frontline workers who are struggling with their mental health will be encouraged to use the service, and hub staff will call workers deemed at highest risk directly to offer their help. Higher-risk groups are likely to include those who work in intensive care, on Covid wards and in A&E units. Almost half of doctors, nurses and other ICU staff have reported symptoms of PTSD, severe depression or anxiety, according to research published last month. Of these, about 40% had probable PTSD – far higher than the rates seen among military veterans. Sir Simon Stevens, NHS England’s chief executive, announced the hubs in an interview with the House magazine. They are being set up at locations across England including Bedfordshire, Lancashire and north-east London. A handful are already in operation. Read full story Source: The Guardian, 22 February 2021 -
News Article
Calls for compensation scheme for UK frontline workers with long Covid
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Boris Johnson is being urged to launch a compensation scheme for frontline workers who are suffering from the long-term effects of coronavirus. The all-party parliamentary group on coronavirus said the prime minister should recognise long Covid as an occupational disease, saying some sufferers have found it hard to return to work. A letter, signed by more than 60 MPs and peers, has been sent to Johnson. Layla Moran, the APPG’s chair, said: “Long Covid is the hidden health crisis of the pandemic, and it is likely to have an enormous impact on society for many years to come. “When it comes to frontline NHS, care and key workers, they were specifically asked to go to work and save lives while everyone else was asked to stay at home." “They were exposed to an increased level of risk of catching the virus, often without adequate levels of PPE.” The group wants the government to follow France, Germany, Belgium and Denmark, which have formally recognised Covid as an “occupational disease”. Read full story Source: The Guardian, 18 February 2021 -
News Article
Healthcare staff must be given time to recuperate from pandemic, say leaders
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
The NHS must have a realistic and steady approach to resuming services disrupted by the pandemic that explicitly recognises the need for staff to recover, NHS leaders have said. In a letter to the prime minister leaders from the NHS Confederation, which represents healthcare providers, warned, “The NHS cannot recover its services at the same rate of increase when staff are so exhausted.” The letter noted that there were over 5000 more patients with COVID-19 in UK hospitals right now that at the peak of the first wave and that this was taking its toll on staff. The leaders called for sustained local mental health support for the NHS workforce beyond the end of March and for a long term, fully funded plan to increase staffing numbers. The government must also set out clear expectations for the public on when routine procedures and other treatments would be fully back on line, they added. “With a workforce on its knees and many of the pre-pandemic challenges still very much at play they need your government both to acknowledge the consequences of the immense pressure their workers have been under so far, and to be realistic and honest with the public about what the NHS can safely deliver moving forward,” the letter said. Layla McCay, director of policy at the NHS Confederation, said that while health leaders would continue to prioritise urgent care and patients with the greatest clinical need, the prime minister must “be upfront with the public about what the NHS can safely deliver in this next phase.” Read full story Source: The BMJ, 11 February 2021 -
Content ArticleAt times of crisis, healthcare workers (e.g., nurses, advanced practice nurses, physicians, nursing assistants, etc.) continue to provide care, despite ever challenging work demands, including higher influx of critically ill patients, increased work stress, and a frequent need for overtime. These work demands can compound already challenging work schedules (i.e. 12-hour shifts, night shifts), making it more difficult to obtain regular shift breaks and enough time off between shifts for adequate recovery. All of these work factors (i.e. physical, emotional, and/or mental demands) combined with insufficient sleep, contribute to fatigue. This article from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gives tips and resources on managing fatigue in times of crisis.
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Content ArticleOxSTaR (Oxford Simulation, Teaching and Research) is based at the John Radcliffe Hospital. The centre provides a state of the art environment where medical students and multidisciplinary healthcare professionals can use adult and paediatric high fidelity patient simulators to rehearse a wide variety of medical scenarios. The information in the link below is designed for healthcare professionals caring for patients with COVID-19 and has been developed in collaboration with Oxford University Hospitals Foundation Trust (OUH FT). Contents of the OxSTaR website such as text, graphics, images, videos and other material contained in the webinars and online lectures are for educational purposes and information only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for face-to-face training. Whilst great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on this website, please be advised that the contributors to the OxSTaR website are not responsible for the continued currency of the information, or any errors or omissions on the website that result from this rapidly evolving field.
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Content ArticleThis study by Sexton et al. was performed to determine whether health care worker (HCW) assessments of good institutional support for second victims were associated with institutional safety culture and workforce well-being. They found that perceived institutional support for second victims was associated with a better safety culture and lower emotional exhaustion. Investment in programmes to support second victims may improve overall safety culture and HCW well-being.
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Content ArticleSleep deprivation due to extended work hours and circadian disruption has long been a concern in medicine. The levels of continuous duty and work hours for health care personnel are much greater than those allowed in the transportation and nuclear-power industries. The problem is most severe for residents in training but extends to experienced physicians and nurses. Clinicians who have been deprived of sleep are part of a health care system in trouble. A report from the Institute of Medicine concluded that the system fails to ensure that patients are safe or that the quality of care they receive is high. In this article, David Gaba and Steven Howard discuss current and proposed policies concerning clinicians' work hours and fatigue.
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EventThis Hospital at Night Summit focuses on out of hours care in hospitals delivering high quality safe care at night. Through national updates, networking opportunities and case studies this conference provides a practical guide to delivering a high quality hospital at night, and moving forward during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. The conference will also focus on improving staff well-being at night and reducing fatigue. For further information and to book or email: nicki@hc-uk.org.uk Follow the conference on Twitter #hospitalatnight hub members receive a 10% discount. Email: info@pslhub.org
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Content Article
Keep your light shining bright – three tips from Sally Howard
Sally Howard posted an article in Blogs
One of the many Covid challenges is that there hasn’t been an opportunity for frontline staff to pause for breath and pay even a small amount of attention to looking after themselves. And when times are really tricky we only have so much energy. So this is just about you and three things that may help you keep going and keep your brilliant light shining. -
Content Article
Hidden wounds
Stephanie O'Donohue posted an article in Staff safety
In this short blog, Stephanie O'Donohue, Content and Engagement Manager for the hub, reflects on the inner turmoil many NHS staff are experiencing as they are having to spread themselves, and their care, thin. -
News ArticleThe second wave of COVID-19 has put doctors under huge pressure, the Royal College of Physicians has warned, as two thirds of physicians report feeling tired or exhausted. A survey of 25 500 members of the college from across the UK, conducted on 2 November, received 1890 responses. It found that two thirds (64%, 931) felt tired or exhausted, 48% (687) felt worried, and just under a third (29%, 424) felt demoralised. Almost a fifth (19%, 280) said they have sought informal mental health support, such as speaking to colleagues or friends, during the pandemic. Just 10% (155) said they had sought formal mental health support from either their employer, GP, or external services. College president Andrew Goddard said he was concerned about the mental health of doctors, “There is no way to dress it up—it is pretty awful at the moment in the world of medicine. Hospital admissions are at the highest ever level, staff are exhausted, and although there is light at the end of the tunnel, it seems a long way away.” He said that before the pandemic, few physicians would have expected to need formal mental health support during their career. After the pandemic, staff will be in desperate need of a break, Goddard said, and will need specific time away if they’re to be at their best. “Doctors have demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout the pandemic, working under the most challenging conditions the NHS has ever faced, but they can’t continue working this way forever,” he said. Read full story Source: The BMJ, 21 January 2021
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Content Article
NHS Employers: NHS Health and Wellbeing Framework
Patient Safety Learning posted an article in Staff safety
Looking after the health and wellbeing of your staff is paramount. Investing in staff health and wellbeing not only delivers benefits for your organisation, but ultimately for the patients in your care. NHS England has worked with 12 NHS organisations to create a Health and Wellbeing Framework and accompanying diagnostic tool to help NHS organisations plan and implement their own approach for improving staff health and wellbeing. This framework has been developed by NHS Employers, NHS England and NHS Improvement with support from partners across the NHS, voluntary sector and government to bring best practice, research and insights together in one accessible place for the first time for NHS organisations. -
Content Article
Moral injury occurs following a morally injurious event, this can lead to negative thoughts about oneself or others developing, alongside feelings of shame, guilt or disgust. This is one of a series of films to help healthcare workers think through some of the emotional and psychological challenges that may arise especially, but not limited, to a pandemic. Moral Injury chapters: 0:00 Start 0:52 What does Moral Injury actually mean? 4:03 What might it look like to me & my colleagues? 6:18 Will everyone eventually become injured? 8:09 What can I do to help myself & others? -
Content ArticlePhysicians, nurses, and other frontline healthcare workers have been celebrated in many countries as heroes for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet not everyone appreciates their efforts and contributions. Since the pandemic, there have been examples of healthcare personnel facing attacks as they travel to and from healthcare facilities. Sadly, violence against healthcare personnel is not a new phenomenon, writes McKay et al. in this Lancet editorial.
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Content ArticleThe Health Innovation Network's Patient Safety and Experience team have been working with behavioural insights specialists to create materials based on a behavioural science approach to support frontline health and care staff to prioritise their physical health and emotional wellbeing needs that may have been neglected due to the impact of COVID-19. The campaign takes a peer to peer approach since it was found staff can struggle to identify signs of stress in themselves and are better at spotting this within colleagues.
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Content ArticleFollowing the publication of Donna Ockenden’s first report: Emerging Findings and Recommendations from the Independent Review of Maternity Services at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust on 11 December 2020, the NHS has issued this latest update. Read previous letter update
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Content ArticleThis report from the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) outlines the most important factors for supporting staff in the wake of safety incidents, against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report reinforces the importance of effective staff support for those suffering high levels of psychological harm, as it has a direct impact on patient care. While focusing on patient safety incidents overall, the report also provides valuable insight that could help organisations develop their own programmes of support for any situation. The report features a first-hand account from a junior doctor which charts the impact that a patient safety incident had on his life and his experiences of support. Excerpts from the story emphasise the importance of creating a ‘normalised’ culture around accessing support.
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Content Article
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This learning resource has been designed for frontline clinical staff who are caring for critically ill patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes a wide range of healthcare professionals in acute care, from many different clinical speciality backgrounds. You may have some previous critical care experience or none. The information in this resource will support those refreshing critical care knowledge and skills, newly qualified doctors, those who are upskilling, and those returning to acute clinical services during the COVID-19 pandemic. -
News Article
NHS staff left traumatised by first Covid wave
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Many hospital staff treating the sickest patients during the first wave of the pandemic were left traumatised by the experience, a study suggests. Researchers at King's College London asked 709 workers at nine intensive care units in England about how they were coping as the first wave eased. Nearly half reported symptoms of severe anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder or problem drinking. One in seven had thoughts of self-harming or being "better off dead". Nursing staff were more likely to report feelings of distress than doctors or other clinical staff in the anonymous web-based survey, which was carried out in June and July last year. Just over half reported good well-being. Victoria Sullivan, an intensive care nurse at Queen's Hospital in Romford, said she often can't sleep because she's thinking about what is happening at the hospital. Her worst moment was breaking the news of a death on the phone, she said, adding that the screams from the patient's relatives "will honestly stay with me forever". "Telling someone over the phone and all you can say is 'I'm really sorry', whilst they're crying their heart out, is quite traumatising," she said. "Although you're saying how sorry you are, in the back of your mind, you're also thinking: 'I've got three other patients I've got to go and see, the infusions need drawing up, and meds need to be given and a nurse needs support'. "The guilt is just too much." Lead researcher Prof Neil Greenberg said the findings should be a "wake-up call" for NHS managers. He said: "The severity of symptoms we identified are highly likely to impair some ICU staff's ability to provide high-quality care as well as negatively impacting on their quality of life." Read full story Source: BBC News, 13 January 2021
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