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Content ArticleThis report details the findings of a thematic review of Safe and wellbeing reviews (SWRs) between October 2021 and May 2022. SWRs are undertaken for children, young people and adults that are autistic and/or have a learning disability who are being cared for in a mental health inpatient setting. SWRs are part of the NHS response to the safeguarding adults review concerning the tragic deaths of Joanna, Jon, and Ben at Cawston Park Hospital, who were each detained for a long period of time and did not receive appropriate care.
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Content ArticleHow does the public view the state of the health and care service? After political turmoil in Westminster, do people think the Government has the policies to set the NHS on the right course? With the health service under so much strain, do people remain committed to its founding principles? This long read by The Health Foundation presents its analysis of public perceptions research conducted with Ipsos that tracks the public’s views on health and social care in the UK every six months. The survey was conducted via Ipsos’ UK KnowledgePanel between 24 and 30 November 2022, with 2,063 people aged 16 and older across the UK.
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News Article
White candidates still 50% more likely to be recruited, says new NHSE data
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
White applicants remain 54% more likely to be appointed from NHS job shortlistings compared to ethnic minority candidates, a metric that has hardly budged since 2016, a NHS England report has revealed. The 2022 NHS workforce race equality standard report, revealed a significant rise in the proportion of staff from ethnic minority backgrounds. And while there had been progress on some key targets since last year, others have stagnated. NHSE’s report showed ethnic minority staff comprise 24.2% of the workforce in 2022, up from 22.4% last year and from 17.7% six years ago. However, it also revealed the likelihood of white applicants being appointed from shortlists was 1.54 in 2022 than minority ethnic applicants – only a very small improvement on 1.57 in 2016, when WRES began Read full story (paywalled) Source: HSJ, 22 February 2023 -
Content ArticleThe 2022 Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) report enables organisations to compare their performance with others in their region and those providing similar services, with the aim of encouraging improvement by learning and sharing good practice. It provides a national picture of WRES in practice, to colleagues, organisations and the public on the developments in the workforce race equality agenda The WRES provide detailed analysis to enable employers to understand how their staff experience compares with others in their region and with similar specialism.
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News ArticleThe UK risks a shrinking workforce caused by long-term sickness, a new report warns. Pensions and health consultants Lane, Clark and Peacock (LCP) says there has been a sharp increase in "economic inactivity" - working-age adults who are not in work or looking for jobs. The figure has risen by 516,000 since Covid hit, and early retirement does not appear to explain it. The total of long-term sick, meanwhile, has gone up by 353,000, says LCP. It means there are now nearly 2.5 million adults of working age who are long-term sick, official data from the Labour Force survey reveals. The LCP says pressure on the NHS can account for some of the increase in long-term sickness. Delays getting non-urgent operations and mental health treatment are possible explanations. Others who would otherwise have had a chronic condition better managed may be in poorer health. One of the report authors, Dr Jonathan Pearson-Stuttard, said: "The pandemic made clear the links between health and economic prosperity, yet policy does not yet invest in health, to keeping living in better health for longer. NHS pressures have led to disruption of patient care which is likely to be impacting on people's ability to work now and in the future." Read full story Source: BBC News, 20 February 2023
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Content Article
This is part of our series of Patient Safety Spotlight interviews, where we talk to people working for patient safety about their role and what motivates them. Rob talks to us about his passion for using human factors to improve safety in emergency departments, how allowing doctors to choose their own shifts can make staffing safer and how better integrating technology could help doctors diagnose and treat patients more safely and effectively. -
Content ArticleIn this opinion piece for the BMJ, Partha Kar, consultant in diabetes and endocrinology, argues that in spite of extensive research and discussion around the need to tackle race inequalities in the medical workforce, little progress has been made at a system level. He highlights the importance of ensuring the Medical Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) Action Plan is implemented effectively, with special attention being paid to tracking GMC referrals and competency reviews that appear to be based on ethnicity.
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News Article
USA: The number one problem keeping hospital CEOs up at night
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Workforce problems in US hospitals are troublesome enough for the American College of Healthcare Executives to devote a new category to them in its annual survey on hospital CEOs' concerns. In the latest survey, executives identified "workforce challenges" as the number one concern for the second year in a row. Although workforce challenges were not seen as the most pressing concern for 16 years, they rocketed to the top quickly and rather universally for US healthcare organisations in the past two years. Most CEOs (90%) ranked shortages of registered nurses as the most pressing within the category of workforce challenges, followed by shortages of technicians (83%) and burnout among non-physician staff (80%). Read full story Source: Becker Hospital Review, 13 February 2023 -
News ArticleThousands of patients are being forced to wait more than 18 months for treatments such as knee and brain surgery as the health service is set to miss its flagship target because of NHS strikes. NHS England last week claimed it was “on track” to hit the mandated target, but senior sources have warned that the impact of prolonged walkouts combined with unprecedented demand for emergency care means that this is now unlikely. The sources say it is probable that up to 10,000 patients will still be waiting for 18 months or more by the end of March, as a knock-on effect of the cancellation of 140,000 appointments because of strike action. More walkouts are planned over the coming weeks. Patricia Marquis, RCN director for England, said the backlog was “yet even more evidence of what happens when you fail to invest in the workforce. If ministers are serious about preventing a further exodus and cutting the backlog, they need to hear the calls of NHS leaders and come to the table and talk about pay. Only then will patients receive the care they need and waiting lists start to come down.” Read full story Source: The Independent, 15 February 2023
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Content ArticleThis National Workforce Implementation Plan outlines a series of practical actions that will act as enablers to accelerate the Welsh Government's ten-year vision for its Workforce Strategy. It addresses the following issues:Governance and accountabilityWhat does our workforce look like now?What will our workforce of the future look like?Fill the workforce gapsRetain our workforce: Engage, support and developPlan for the future
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News Article
GPs now dealing with up to 3,000 patients each as staff shortages worsen
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
GPs are attempting to deal with up to 3,000 patients each, amid worsening staff shortages, according to new analysis commissioned by the Liberal Democrats. The research shows that the number of patients per GP has risen sharply, as rising numbers of doctors reduce their hours, or opt for early retirement. The figures, which track the number of “full-time equivalent” fully qualified GPs, show the number has fallen from 29,320 in 2016 to 27,372 last year. The trend follows a rise in part-time work, with the average GP now working a three-day week. On average, there are now 2,273 patients per fully qualified doctor, up from 1,981 in 2016, the research commissioned by the Liberal Democrats shows. While the total number of GPs fell by almost 2,000, the number of registered patients grew from 58 million to 62.2 million, according to the House of Commons Library. Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs, said the research “shows yet again how GPs and our teams are working above and beyond to deliver care to an ever-growing patient population, with falling numbers of fully qualified, full-time equivalent GPs.” Read full story (paywalled) Source: The Telegraph, 14 February 2023 -
News Article
NHS private sector plan risks safety and ‘poaches’ staff, doctors warn
Patient-Safety-Learning posted a news article in News
Healthcare leaders have been warned by nearly 200 doctors that plans to give more work to private hospitals will “drain” money and staff away from NHS services, leaving the most ill patients at risk. In a letter seen by The Independent, almost 200 ophthalmologists urged NHS leaders to rethink plans to contract cataract services to private sector hospitals, as to do so “drains money away from patient care into private pockets as well as poaching staff trained in the NHS”. The doctors have called for “urgent action” to stop a new contract from being released, which would allow private sector hospitals to take over more cataract services. Professor Ben Burton, consultant ophthalmologist and one of the lead signatories of the letter, said, “What is needed is a long-term sustainable solution rather than a knee-jerk reaction which risks the future of ophthalmology as an NHS service. The long-term solution will be achieved by investing in NHS providers to deliver modern, efficient care, and the private sector only used as a last resort.” Read full story Source: The Independent, 10 February 2023 -
News Article
GPs now dealing with up to 3,000 patients each as staff shortages worsen
Patient_Safety_Learning posted a news article in News
GPs are attempting to deal with up to 3,000 patients each, amid worsening staff shortages, according to new analysis. The research shows that the number of patients per GP has risen sharply, as rising numbers of doctors reduce their hours, or opt for early retirement. Daisy Cooper, spokeswoman for Liberal Democrat Health and Social Care, said: “This ever-worsening GP shortage is having a terrible human cost, as people face delayed or missed diagnoses and A&Es fill up with desperate patients looking for treatment." Read full story (paywalled) Source: Telegraph, 14 February -
Content ArticleMany people will experience mental health problems in their lives. Around one in six adults in England have a common mental health disorder, and around half of mental health problems start by the age of 14. This report from the National Audit Office focuses on the implementation of NHS commitments as set out in the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health, Stepping forward to 2020/21: The mental health workforce plan for England and the the NHS Long Term Plan. It examines whether the government has achieved value for money in its efforts to date to expand and improve NHS-funded mental health services by evaluating whether DHSC, NHSE and other national bodies: have a clear understanding of how much their work to date has reduced the gap between mental and physical health services met ambitions to increase access, capacity, workforce and funding for mental health services are well placed to overcome the risks and challenges, including the impact from COVID-19, to achieving future ambitions.
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Content ArticleNHS trusts have often reported emergency department doctors having low levels of satisfaction and high rates of burnout, leading to a high turnover. In 2017, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals (BSUH) and Western Sussex Hospitals merged to form University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. The Trust found that the organisation of shifts at Royal Sussex County Hospital (RSCH) and Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) and lack of flexibility were adding to the strain already felt by doctors working in the high pressure emergency department. To combat the pressure consultants and other doctors were under, the Trust implemented a system to help improve rota design and flexible working. The hope was that the system would help the trust retain and recruit staff, whilst saving locum costs and improving patient care.
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Content ArticleIn recorded interview, Roger Kline, research fellow at Middlesex University, and Anton Emmanuel, Head of Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES), discuss 'No more tick boxes', progress on WRES and the need to address race equality as an organisational improvement metric.
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Content ArticleNurses work long hours and play a critical role in keeping patients healthy. Many nurses feel that fatigue “comes with the territory” of such a high-stress, high-impact job. But what’s really at risk when a nurse is fatigued? This blog by US insurance company Nurses Service Organization (NSO) looks at the impact of nurse fatigue on patient and staff safety. It suggests several strategies to address the issue: Designing schedules and organising work to reduce nurse fatigue Developing a fatigue management plan Educating staff on sleep hygiene and the effects of fatigue on nurse health and patient safety Providing opportunities for staff to express concerns about fatigue and taking action to address those concerns Making sure extended shifts have adequate staff support and rest periods
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Content ArticleThis Patient Safety Advisory from the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority provides an overview of the issues associated with healthcare worker fatigue. It outlines fatigue risk mitigation practices that are being used in healthcare and other industries, including comprehensive fatigue risk management programs.
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Content ArticleSentinel Event Alerts from the Joint Commission identify specific types of sentinel event (a patient safety event that results in death, permanent harm or severe temporary harm), describe their common underlying causes and suggest steps to prevent them occurring in the future. This Sentinel Event Alert looks at the well-documented link between health care worker fatigue and adverse events. It looks at: The impact of fatigue Contributing factors to fatigue and risks to patients Actions suggested by The Joint Commission for healthcare organisations
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Content ArticleThis study in The Journal of Nursing Administration aimed to investigate the relationship between sleep deprivation and occupational and patient care errors among staff nurses who work the night shift. A cross-sectional correlational design was used to evaluate relationships between sleep deprivation and occupational and patient care errors in 289 hospital night shift nurses. The study found that more than half (56%) of the sample reported being sleep deprived. Sleep-deprived nurses made more patient care errors. Testing for associations with occupational errors was not feasible because of the low number of occupational errors reported.
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Content ArticleProviding an overview of the work of the Group and its key findings, the Report of the Strategic Workforce Advisory Group on Home Carers and Nursing Home Health Care Assistants presents a suite of 16 recommendations spanning the areas of areas of recruitment, pay and conditions of employment, barriers to employment, training and professional development, sectoral reform, and monitoring and implementation.
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Content ArticleFatigue in anaesthesia practice is often ignored or accepted as the norm due to persistent, high-intensity work demands and expectations. This document produced by the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) aims to provide guidance to healthcare professionals, healthcare facilities and nurse anaesthesia programs regarding sleep deprivation and fatigue. It provides evidence-based information that promotes fatigue management and work-life balance.
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Content ArticleThis brief paper reviews the available published literature on shiftwork and safety that allows the estimation of the relative risk of “accidents” or injuries associated with specific features of shift systems. It discusses three main trends in risk: Risk is higher on the night shift, and to a lesser extent the afternoon shift, than on the morning shift Risk increases over a span of shifts, especially so if they are night shifts Risk increases with increasing shift length over eight hours The authors discuss the fact that some of these trends are not entirely consistent with predictions made based on considerations of the circadian variations in sleep propensity or rated sleepiness, and consider factors relating to sleep that may underlie the observed trends in risk. They also discuss the practical implications of the trends in risk for the design of safer shift systems.
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Content ArticleFatigue refers to the issues that arise from excessive working time or poorly designed shift patterns. It is generally considered to be a decline in mental and/or physical performance that results from prolonged exertion, sleep loss and/or disruption of the internal clock. Fatigue results in slower reactions, reduced ability to process information, memory lapses, absent-mindedness, decreased awareness, lack of attention and underestimation of risk. It can lead to errors and accidents, ill-health and injury, and reduced productivity and is often a root cause of major accidents. This guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) outlines key information about fatigue and signposts to further resources about managing fatigue at work.
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News Article
NHS faces ‘alarming’ exodus of doctors and dentists, health chiefs warn
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
The NHS faces an alarming mass exodus of doctors and dental professionals, health chiefs have said, as a report reveals 4 in 10 are likely to quit over “intolerable” pressures. Intense workloads, rapidly soaring demand for urgent and emergency healthcare and the record high backlog of operations are causing burnout and exhaustion and straining relationships between medics and patients, according to the report by the Medical Defence Union (MDU), which provides legal support to about 200,000 doctors, dental professionals and other healthcare workers in the UK. In an MDU survey of more than 800 doctors and dental professionals across the UK, conducted within the last month and seen by the Guardian, 40% agreed or strongly agreed they were likely to resign or retire within the next five years as a direct result of “workplace pressures”. Medical leaders called the report “deeply concerning”. There are already 133,000 NHS vacancies in England alone. NHS chiefs said it laid bare the impact of the crisis in the health service on staff, and MPs said it should serve as a “wake-up call” to ministers on the urgent need to take action to persuade thousands of NHS staff heading for the exit door to stay. Read full story Source: The Guardian, 29 January 2023
