Staff burnout and morale among key concerns for trust leaders
Survey also finds that most believe delivering care this winter will be even tougher than the last, with nursing staff shortages and high workloads adding to the pressure
Most NHS trust leaders are concerned about staff burnout and morale as the health service faces what could be its toughest winter yet.
A survey of senior leaders at hospital, mental health, community and ambulance services across England shows many expect this winter will be even more challenging than the last.
Report highlights causes of concern
The annual State of the Provider Sector report published by NHS Providers found 84% of trust leaders were extremely or moderately concerned about current levels of burnout across their workforce.
A similar proportion – 83% – said they were extremely or moderately concerned about staff morale.
A recent report on burnout in healthcare by the Society of Occupational Medicine highlighted high levels of burnout among the nursing workforce.
‘It is vital we tackle the root causes of burnout’
RCN health, safety and well-being national officer Kim Sunley said: ‘I’m concerned about the well-being of nursing staff and their patients – patient care will be impacted if nurses report severe levels of burnout.
‘The crisis in retaining nursing staff will not be resolved under the status quo. Staff need support and details on how the NHS workforce plan will work in practice now. It is vital we tackle the root causes of burnout, making workloads manageable for nursing staff now, and solving long-term staff shortages.’
Trusts grapple with nurse shortages as winter approaches
The NHS Providers survey also found around six in 10 trust leaders were worried about whether their trust had the right numbers, quality and mix of staff to deliver high-quality healthcare now and over the next two years.
Many trusts are grappling with nurse shortages amid rising demand for care including a sharp increase in the need for mental health support following the pandemic.
The majority of leaders – 80% – felt this winter would be even tougher than the last, and two thirds said last year was the most challenging winter period they had ever seen.
Staff ‘doing great work, often in the most difficult circumstances’
Chief executive of NHS Providers Julian Hartley said financial pressures and fears of further strikes by doctors, which would exacerbate delays in dealing with the post-COVID care backlog, were other key concerns.
Despite the challenges, he said staff and leaders were ‘unshakeable’ in their determination to deliver high-quality care.
‘They are doing great work, often in the most difficult circumstances, but it's clear that they face their toughest test yet as winter and budgets bite,’ he added.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘We have already invested billions to improve performance, along with an additional £800 million for this winter to support urgent and emergency and maternity and neonatal care, tackle the longest waits and cancer backlogs, and boost discharge rates.’
Read the survey
State of the Provider Sector report
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