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News ArticleThe General Medical Council (GMC) has placed conditions on the Anaesthetics training programme at Basildon University Hospital, part of Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, following serious issues relating to patient safety and the quality of postgraduate medical education. As the regulator responsible for setting the standards of postgraduate medical training, and checking they are being met, the GMC has taken this action to address a range of issues including failures to protect doctors in training from sexual misconduct, misogyny and undermining behaviours, as well as inappropriate staffing levels within the department. Doctors in training in anaesthetics are currently not working in the department due to the concerns, and the GMC will require evidence of change before conditions can be removed and before they can return. Professor Pushpinder Mangat, Medical Director and Director for Education and Standards at the GMC, said: ‘We work to make sure that education and training prepares doctors to deliver good, safe patient care by setting high standards and expected outcomes. ‘We need assurance that the required standards and the conditions imposed are being met, including the creation of a working culture where doctors can raise issues openly, without fear of repercussions.’ Read full story Source: GMC, 19 January 2026
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News ArticleDoctors, physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs) must speak up if they spot patient safety concerns, and healthcare leaders must act when issues are raised with them, the General Medical Council (GMC) says as it launches a review of key guidance. The GMC is seeking views on two pieces of its guidance, Raising and acting on concerns about patient safety and Leadership and management. Both pieces of guidance play crucial roles in setting positive workplace culture standards that prioritise patient safety. They make clear the regulator’s expectations on when and how concerns should be raised, as well as how those in management positions should respond. The regulator is ensuring the guidance reflects developments across the UK’s healthcare systems, and wider social changes, while remaining clear, relevant and helpful. It will be the first significant updates since they were published in 2012. Earlier this year results from the GMC’s annual national training survey revealed that more than one in five trainee doctors were hesitant about escalating concerns about patient care, and GMC Chief Executive Charlie Massey warned, in a speech in September, that maternity services were at risk from harmful cultures that put ‘cover-up over candour’ and ‘obfuscation over honesty’. Professor Pushpinder Mangat, Medical Director and Director of Education and Standards at the GMC, said: "Our guidance is there to provide support and confidence, as well as practical help, for people to speak up when necessary. But speaking up is no good in isolation. Leaders and managers have a duty to act when concerns are raised with them. ‘Whenever we update guidance, it is important we hear views from a range of respondents. Their voices and real-life experiences will be instrumental in ensuring our guidance is clear, relevant, and helpful, and reflects the needs of everyone it affects." Read full story Source: GMC, 3 November 2025
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Content ArticleIn the field of healthcare, ensuring patient safety is a critical priority that has garnered global recognition as a pressing public health concern. Despite notable progress in medical treatments and diagnostic technologies, patients continue to be at risk of adverse events and harm during the perioperative period. Anaesthetists hold a pivotal position in this phase of patient care and have the potential to greatly impact safety and outcomes. This research sought to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and influencing factors of anaesthetists concerning patient safety in government referral hospitals situated in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The study revealed that over half of the participants had good knowledge (56.7%) and a positive attitude (68.9%). Factors significantly associated with patient safety knowledge included having patient safety information during continuing education [AOR = 4.016; 95% CI: (1.99–8.07)] and having a working experience of more than 15 years [AOR = 3.9; 95% CI: (1.23–12.29)]. Additionally, those who received patient safety training [AOR =2.0; 95% CI: (1.2–3.64)] were more likely to have a positive attitude than those who did not receive such training. The study found that a majority of Ethiopian anaesthetists hold a favourable view toward patient safety, with 56.7% demonstrating good patient safety knowledge and 68.9% exhibiting a favourable attitude toward patient safety. Work experience, continuous education, patient safety training, and strong knowledge were identified as crucial factors in ensuring patient safety. Therefore, it is recommended that anaesthesia professionals participate in educational programs and receive training in patient safety to address these concerns.
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Content Article
Mandy Anderton is a Clinical Nurse specialising in learning disability and a hub Topic Leader. In this new blog, Mandy explains how they are using shared decision making and reasonable adjustments to implement a new care pathway, where patients with a learning disability needing to undergo a medical investigation can receive deep sedation within their own home. Working with patients, carers, relatives, anaesthetists and others, the aim is to improve access to important medical investigations with minimal distress, where other avenues have been exhausted. Health inequalities and barriers to care People with learning disabilities experience higher levels of physical ill health, yet they face serious health inequalities and have lower life expectancy, dying on average 25 years sooner and frequently from avoidable and preventable conditions [1]. An inability to express pain or general feelings of being unwell (or this resulting in behaviour described as challenging) can lead to delays or problems with diagnosis or treatment, identifying needs and providing appropriate care. People with a learning disability might struggle to engage with medical interventions due to lack of understanding or fear, whilst uncertainty amongst medical professionals about capacity and consent can all lead to further delays. People with learning disabilities often struggle to engage with diagnostic tests like having blood taken or having a scan. This can lead to delays in care and treatment and have an impact on health outcomes. Reasonable adjustments Under the Equality Act 2010, there is a legal duty for public bodies to make reasonable adjustments for people with a learning disability. Equality is not necessarily about treating everybody the same. Rather, it is treating a person with a learning disability in such a way that the outcome for that person can be the same. Reasonable adjustments can be put in place, for example prescribing small doses of oral sedation to reduce anxiety or undertaking desensitization and preparation work on an individual basis. But these things do not work for everyone and can take time (which is no use in urgent situations). Clinical holding is also not always appropriate to every situation or individual. Bringing diagnostic tests to the home Salford Care Organisation (part of the Northern Care Alliance) has started to explore the use of deep sedation in the home to support people to have essential investigations, with the additional option of an anaesthetic if needed. Perceived benefits of these changes to practice are earlier diagnoses and treatment of medical conditions. Both of which promote equality and reduce mortality and premature death for people with a learning disability. The general idea is that when blood tests or other diagnostic tests or procedures are required (scans can be tricky for people to engage with also), GPs would be able to refer direct to a dedicated anaesthetic clinic for this support. Mental capacity Healthcare professionals need to work within the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and if the patient’s capacity is in question, a Mental Capacity Assessment is undertaken. If the person is considered to lack capacity, then decisions will be taken in their best interest. This process will include relevant medical professionals, family, and carers. If the person does not have a family member or friend to advocate on their behalf, then an Independent Mental Capacity Act Advocate will be asked to join these discussions. Best interest decision-making Least restrictive options are always considered and often tried first– this might be desensitization work, longer appointment times, giving oral sedation, working up to possible clinical holding or deep sedation or anaesthesia if needed. Legally the person proposing the procedure is always the lead for best interest and capacity but others will provide significant input. It is likely there will be on-going meetings and different best interest decisions are made as different interventions are tried and considered. The best interest decision process will consider the pros, cons of each intervention, always starting with least restrictive option and working upwards if needed. The likely consequence of doing nothing will also be considered against risk of anaesthetic and distress to the person and weighed up against the risk of not treating a possible underlying health issue. Safety considerations and risk assessment Safety is our priority. Fiona Armstrong, Consultant Anaesthetist, developed a policy around the new approach and this contains a lot of the detail around how we manage risk. The policy was approved last year, and we have attached the document at the bottom of this page for anyone interested. Fiona has also shared some of the key safety features below: The patient has to be suitable. They cannot be a predicted high anaesthetic risk. This would include certain medical problems, anticipated difficult to manage airways, high BMI or previous problems with anaesthesia. The home has to be suitable – within 30mins blue light transfer of the hospital. The ambulance team also needs to be able to safety extract the patient from the location that sedation is administered. Anaesthetist and anaesthetic assistance, trained in transfer, attend with all kit to be able to safely administer oxygen, secure IV access, give supportive medications or provide a full anaesthetic should an adverse event occur. The patient’s vital signs are monitored as soon as sedation takes effect and for the journey. Full area for immediate administration of anaesthetic is set up at the hospital. Home visit occurs prior by the ambulance team to ensure suitability and plan number of staff/extraction kit. Patient’s support team are involved in the planning process of how, when and where sedation is administered to minimise distress and improve safety whilst medication takes effect. We are at the very early stages of exploring this as a care pathway and only two people have been through the process so far, both cases have gone smoothly. Many others have managed with oral sedation to make it to the carpark and have the deep sedation administered there and others are currently undergoing planning and the best interest process. Case study - John A gentleman with severe learning disabilities and autism, John has a longstanding fear of needles, medical professionals and environments. Blood tests, an echocardiogram and ultrasound scan were needed to help identify any underlying, and potentially serious, medical cause for his swollen ankles. Opportunities for desensitization had been exhausted and attempts to take blood with the support of regular oral sedation had proved unsuccessful. Working together and within the legislation of the Mental Capacity Act (2005), John’s family, support team and health care professionals from both general health services and the Adult Learning Disability Team came together to form an individualised plan, which would enable John to have deep sedation (with the option of a general anaesthetic if needed) in his own home before being safely transported to hospital for further care and treatment. Feedback I’ve spoken to both of John’s carers (he lives in 24-hour support) and his mother. His mother couldn’t praise the support enough, saying how much re-assurance it had given her knowing that his health concerns had been taken seriously and investigated. She is more reassured for the future and thinks the pathway should be available everywhere. John’s carers also felt it suited his needs well: “Fiona, the anaesthetist, went to his home and basically just worked within John’s usual routine, which was so important as John is also autistic and has very rigid routines that he needs to adhere to. John was totally calm and does not appear to have been adversely affected in any way at all. He went straight back to his usual self, following return from hospital, as if nothing had happened”. Chris Connell, Head of service (supported living), Aspire for Health and Intelligent Care and Support Reflections so far Resources are needed to make this into a recognised referral pathway with dedicated theatre time. At the moment, it happens a little ‘ad-hoc’ and people are fitted in when our anaesthetist can find gaps on theatre lists. Funding is currently being considered. Working collaboratively has been key, with clear coordination and on-going meetings to revisit decision-making where needed and agree fresh plans. The visit to give John deep sedation in his home was very carefully planned beforehand to help ensure it ran in line with his routines and had the very best chance of success. Listening to John’s carers and family were key in gathering information about how best to support him. The service is completely personalised, which works best for people with a learning disability. Sedation can be given in the home, where a person is most comfortable and relaxed and can fit around their usual routines. So far, we have seen people get the medical investigations they needed in a timely manner with little, if any, stress to themselves. I’m not sure how we would have moved forward for John without this process as we had exhausted all other avenues. We need to continue to connect with key stakeholders such as community teams and hospital specialists. To make sure they know the service exists and to consider it for patients who need investigations, where other reasonable adjustments have failed. [1] (Learning Disability Mortality Review Programme, 2020) Share your thoughts Do you or someone you care for have a learning disability? Perhaps you work in healthcare and would like to help reduce the inequalities experiences by people with a learning disability. What do you think about the approach described in the blog? Please share your thoughts by commenting below (register for free first) or contact us at [email protected]. You can also get in touch with Mandy directly at [email protected] to find out more about this work. Related content Nobody left behind: Improving the health of people with learning disabilities and reducing inequalities across primary care How can GP practices help improve health outcomes for people with learning disabilities? Interview with a Community Learning Disability Nurse CS008 V1 Home Sedation and Transfer Service for Patients with Complex Needs requiring Hospital investigations and treatment (002) (1).pdf -
Content ArticleThere’s been much discussion in the press and on social media about the role of physician associates and anaesthetic associates. Who exactly are they, and how are they trained? The Department of Health and Social Care says that they’re “trained in the medical model”—but what does this actually mean? Helen Salisbury gives her thoughts in this BMJ opinion piece.
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Content ArticlePhysician associates (PAs) work alongside doctors and form part of the multidisciplinary team. They work across a range of specialties in general practice, community and hospital settings. Anaesthesia associates (AAs), sometimes also known as physicians’ assistants (anaesthesia), work as part of the anaesthetic team. They provide care for patients before, during and after their operation or procedure. This General Medical Council (GMC) page outlines the roles of PAs and AAs and what the regulation will look like.
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Content ArticleThe Medical Protection Society (MPS) is a member-owned, not-for-profit protection organisation for doctors, dentists and healthcare professionals. Here is there response to the Department of Health and Social Care consultation which introduces the regulation for Physician Associates (PAs) and Anaesthesia Associates (AAs).
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News ArticleThe trust at the centre of a maternity scandal insists it has been providing immediate anaesthetic cover for obstetric emergencies, contrary to an NHS England report suggesting it had not and had been potentially breaching safety standards. Health Education England – now part of NHSE – visited William Harvey Hospital in March and was told senior doctors in training who were covering obstetrics could also be covering the cath lab – which deals with patients who have had a heart attack, and could receive trauma, paediatric emergency and cardiac arrest calls. This suggested the trust was in conflict with Royal College guidelines which state an anaesthetist should always be “immediately available” for obstetrics. East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, originally told HSJ its rota had very recently been changed and that an anaesthetist with primary responsibility for maternity could leave any other work to attend to a maternity emergency immediately. However, it has since said it has been the case for a long time that an anaesthetist is available to return to maternity in case of an emergency. Read full story (paywalled) Source: HSJ, 17 June 2023
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Event
Patient Safety Conference 2023 - Safe Anaesthesia Liaison Group
Sam posted an event in Community Calendar
The Safe Anaesthesia Liaison Group (SALG) Patient Safety Conference will be held virtually this year on Thursday 23 November 2023. The first session will include engaging lectures around the current work of SALG, and the second session will focus on topical issues in relation to a selected group or society (yet to be announced). There will be a prize session for accepted abstracts, with a poster section and oral presentations. This online conference is being organised by SALG co-chairs, Dr Peter Young from the Association of Anaesthetists, Dr Felicity Platt, Royal College of Anaesthetists The day will provide valuable knowledge for doctors engaged in clinical anaesthesia, pain management and intensive care medicine, and who have an interest in improving patient safety. Register -
EventuntilThis ASCEND (acquiring skills, career exploration, networking and development) webinar aims to help students and newly qualified practitioners to develop the practical and personal skills needed to succeed during the early years of their perioperative career. It will focus on two main skills - leadership and the management of anaesthetic emergencies. Leadership is often mistaken for something that only comes with vast experience in a particular discipline. We will be re-examining ‘what is leadership?’ and introducing some leadership opportunities available early in your perioperative career. Management of anaesthetic emergencies is a crucial part of perioperative care. This is not only relevant for anaesthetic practitioners, it incorporates the whole theatre team. Being able to identify an anaesthetic emergency is a valuable skill in your early career. Learning outcomes: An introduction into leadership opportunities available early in your perioperative career. Understand different styles of leadership and how you can deploy them in your everyday practice. Identifying anaesthetic emergencies and learning through virtual simulation. Register
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EventuntilThe Safe Anaesthesia Liaison Group Patient Safety Conference will be held in collaboration with RA-UK. The first session will include engaging lectures around the current work of SALG, and the second session will focus on topical issues in relation to regional anaesthesia safety. There will be a prize session for accepted abstracts, with a poster section and oral presentations. This online conference is being organised by SALG co-chairs, Dr Peter Young from the Association of Anaesthetists, Dr Felicity Platt, Royal College of Anaesthetists and Nat Haslam, Regional Anaesthesia UK The day will provide valuable knowledge for doctors engaged in clinical anaesthesia, pain management and intensive care medicine, and who have an interest in improving patient safety. Register
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EventuntilThe perioperative environment is complex and rapidly changing with a diverse, multi-professional workforce. A global shortage of perioperative practitioners has forced us to ‘bridge the gap’ by working collaboratively across many boundaries and specialities to deliver safe, high-quality patient care. This study day from the Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) explores how embracing a multi-professional approach to perioperative care can help us to build theatre teams that are fit for the future. From Anaesthetists to Registered Operating Department Practitioners (RODPs) and Registered Nurses (RNs), there are many transferable skills across perioperative professions. Our speakers will identify some of these transferable skills, explore the lessons we can learn from our multi-disciplinary colleagues, and examine four key areas of practice. The goal is to provide you with evidence-based practice that can be taken back to your workplace to further educate the multi-professional team and facilitate changes in practice to improve patient safety and reduce never events. Topics include: Lessons learnt as a consultant anaesthetist. Potential barriers to preventing harm. Recognising and managing difficult airways. Inadvertent hyperthermia prevention and management. ‘Not Just Small Adults’ – paediatric perioperative care. Safe manual handling and patient positioning. Transferrable skills – from RODP to management. Register
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News ArticleMore than a million patient operations could be delayed because of widespread shortages of anaesthetists in the NHS – with 9 out of every 10 hospitals reporting at least one vacancy. As coronavirus paralysed the NHS earlier this year, more than 140,000 NHS patients have already waited over a year for treatment. The Health Foundation has warned that 4.7 million fewer patients have been referred for treatment because of the impact of coronavirus on NHS services. The Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCOA) told The Independent the scale of the vacancies was getting worse and labelled it a “workforce disaster” that could cost patients’ lives and have a widespread impact on hospital services. Read full story Source: The Independent, 22 November 2020
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News ArticleAn anaesthetist who had been drinking before an emergency caesarean that led to the death of a British woman should serve the maximum three years in jail if convicted and should be banned from working as a doctor, a French prosecutor has demanded. Helga Wauters is on trial in Pau, south-west France, for the manslaughter of Xynthia Hawke in 2014. She is accused of starving Hawke of oxygen for up to an hour after pushing a ventilation tube into the wrong passageway. Orlane Yaouang, prosecuting, described the scene in the operating theatre when Hawke turned blue as “carnage” and spoke of the “surreal situation” in which the panicked hospital staff called the emergency services. Read full story Source: The Guardian, 9 October 2020
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Content ArticleThe Cappuccini Test is a simple six-question audit designed to pick up issues relating to supervision of anaesthetists in training and non-autonomous SAS grades (NASG) who do not fit the description in Guidelines for the Provision of Anaesthesia Services (GPAS) of 'SAS anaesthetists that local governance arrangements have agreed in advance are able to work in those circumstances without consultant supervision.' The test is named after Frances Cappuccini, who died giving birth to her son at Tunbridge Wells Hospital in 2012. The coroner’s inquest into her death noted that supervision arrangements for anaesthetists at the trust were ‘undefined and inadequate’. The test was developed for hospitals to assess the level of supervision given to their SAS and trainee anaesthetists, and to make improvements with the aim of improving the safety of patients.
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Content ArticleThis article from Peden et al. reviews of some of the key topics and challenges in quality, safety, and the measurement and improvement of outcomes in anaesthesia. Topics covered include medication safety, changes in approaches to patient safety, payment reform, longer term measurement of outcomes, large-scale improvement programmes, the ageing population, and burnout. The article begins with a section on the success of the specialty of anaesthesia in improving the quality, safety, and outcomes for our patients, and ends with a look to future developments, including greater use of technology and patient engagement.
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Content Article
Safer Anaesthesia From Education (SAFE)
Patient Safety Learning posted an article in In surgery
Safer Anaesthesia From Education (SAFE) is a joint project developed in 2011 by the Association of Anaesthetists and the WFSA (World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists). The training initiative aims to bring practitioners of obstetric and paediatric anaesthesia (who throughout the world may be physician anaesthesiologists but are largely non-physicians) to a level of practice whereby they can deliver vigilant, competent, and safe anaesthesia. The underlying principle is to equip anaesthetists with the essential knowledge and skills so they can deliver safe care to their patients, even in very low resource settings, and to train as many anaesthesia providers as possible in each country in order to create a sustainable training model which can be embedded in the national health system. -
News ArticleAn NHS hospital has admitted it failed to properly anaesthetise a patient who was operated on while conscious – leaving her with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and recurring nightmares. The woman, who has chosen to remain anonymous, said she screamed out as the gynaecological surgery at Yeovil District Hospital began to operate, but could not be heard through her oxygen mask as the surgeon cut into her belly button. Medical negligence lawyers said she was given a spinal rather than general anaesthetic during the procedure at the hospital in Somerset last year. She remained conscious while a laparoscope – a long camera tube – was placed inside her, and her abdomen was filled with gas. Her law firm Irwin Mitchell said that an increase in blood pressure had alerted staff to her discomfort, but that the procedure was continued. The woman, who is in her 30s, said: “While nothing will change what has happened to me, I just hope that lessons can be learned so no one else faces similar problems in the future." A spokeswoman for Yeovil Hospital said the incident was the result of “a breakdown of communication” which “led to the use of a different anaesthetic to that normally required for such an operation”. Read full story Source: The Independent, 10 December 2019
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Content ArticleInadequate access to anaesthesia and surgical services is often considered to be a problem of low- and middle-income countries. However, affluent nations, including Canada, Australia, and the United States, also face shortages of anesthesia and surgical care in rural and remote communities. Inadequate services often disproportionately affect indigenous populations. A lack of anaesthesia care providers has been identified as a major contributing factor to the shortfall of surgical and obstetrical care in rural and remote areas of these countries. In this report, Orser et al. summarises the challenges facing the provision of anaesthesia services in rural and remote regions
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Content Article
COVID-19: voices from the front line
Claire Cox posted an article in Stories from the front line
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed most lives internationally. Households have shifted, balancing financial concerns and anxieties about the health of family and friends with the trials and responsibilities of childcare. During this pandemic it became clear that while many were struggling with the same issues, a series of shared stories could help the wellbeing of frontline NHS staff who might feel isolated and alone. The following voices are not unique to Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, anaesthesia or healthcare in the UK, but they were selected from the department to represent some of many healthcare workers who have taken on new professional roles as well as radically different ways of working and living. -
Content Article
'Stop before you block' poster (Safe Anaesthesia Liaison Group)
Claire Cox posted an article in Resources for staff
This poster produced by the Safe Anaesthesia Liaison Group, is aimed at theatre staff - especially anaesthetists. it is to ensure they have a second checker when it comes to administering an anaesthetic block. -
Content ArticleThe Safe Anaesthesia Liaison Group (SALG)'s quarterly patient safety updates contain important learning from incidents reported to the National Reporting and Learning System (NRLS). The Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) and the Association of Anaesthetists would like to bring these safety updates to the attention of as many anaesthetists and their teams as possible.
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Content ArticleBetween 30 June - 05 July 2020, the College conducted a survey to assess its members' views on the current preparedness to restart planned services. Key findings: 44% of respondents are not confident in their hospital’s ability to provide planned surgery safely while managing COVID-19 demand during future surges. Nearly two-thirds of respondents (64%) have, to some extent during the last month, suffered mental distress because of additional work related stress due to COVID-19. Nearly nine in ten trainees (89%) strongly agree that the pandemic is affecting their training opportunities, career and professional development. Key recommendations: NHS Improvement should publish a new People Plan, with the investment and teeth needed to support staff welfare and wellbeing, build resilience and address inequality. NHS Improvement should identify, train and maintain the skills of cross-specialty ‘reservists’ who can support COVID-19 surges, and escalation plans should rapidly be made, with the support of the Medical Royal Colleges. The Government should make a commitment to additional, and sustainable, investment in the resources, facilities and staff needed to support a return to pre-COVID-19 activity. Hospitals and trusts may need to cohort specialist surgery on a regional basis; and there is merit in a ‘clean hospital’ approach. Other locations for managing planned surgery or COVID-19 care should be considered, with sufficient resources that are separate from those within the NHS. Efforts should be made to support hospitals in ensuring that sufficient numbers of anaesthetic, theatre, perioperative care and ward staff are free to return to their routine work activities. A transparent, flexible, approach to re-scheduling assessments and teaching should be developed, with clear guidance on how missed learning opportunities will be delivered.
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Content Article
Bulletin: Royal College of Anaesthetists (July 2020)
Claire Cox posted an article in Coronavirus (COVID-19)
In this edition of the Royal College of Anaesthetists bulletin, articles include: psychological consequences of COVID-19 a shift in incident reporting sleep and exhaustion. -
Content ArticleBetween 30 June and 5 July 2020, the Royal College of Anaesthetists conducted a survey to assess its members' views on the current preparedness to restart planned services. The results found that doctors are not confident their hospitals would cope with a second COVID-19 surge and that more anaesthetists are suffering mental distress than ever before as morale drops. Key findings 44% of respondents were not confident their hospitals would be able to provide safe COVID and non-COVID services should there be a second surge of infections. Over one third (38%) of respondents also cited low or non-existent rapid testing for staff at their hospitals and one-in-five (20%) said there are currently insufficient infection prevention and control measures to prevent staff from infecting surgical patients with COVID-19. Results also highlighted the increasing trend in mental distress amongst anaesthetists and the disruption to the training opportunities for anaesthetists in training: nearly two-thirds of respondents (64%) have, to some extent during the past month, suffered mental distress due to the pressures faced during the COVID-19 pandemic over one-third of respondents (34%) reported a low or very low level of team morale, compared with nearly one-in-five (21%) in May nearly nine-in-ten trainees (89%) strongly agree that the pandemic is affecting their training opportunities, career and professional development.
