Ambulance pressures taking a significant toll on staff, says UNISON

Increasing pressures on ambulance services are leaving workers “overwhelmed” and struggling to shake off work stress when they finally finish their shifts, according to a new UNISON survey published today (Monday).
Emotional breakdowns, sleep problems, mood swings and the use of anti-depressants are among the issues reported by staff who have been dealing with unprecedented demand for months, says the union.
The survey gives a snapshot of the colossal scale of difficulties the ambulance workforce is facing daily, with resources stretched to the limit and waiting times hitting ​record highs, UNISON says.
Staff shortages, lack of capacity in hospitals due to Covid and long-term underfunding have all contributed to major problems over the past few months​, according to the survey, published to coincide with the opening of the union’s annual health conference in Liverpool ​later today.
More than 1,100 staff in various ambulance services roles across the UK ​took part in the survey. Three quarters (75%) said stress and pressure in their services ​has increased since pre-Covid days.​
Over half (57%) sa​y they fe​el “overwhelmed” by work and ​a similar proportion (5​3%) are struggling to cope with the demands of their jobs.
More than three in five (6​2%) ​say their job ​is causing stress and anxiety, with many experiencing serious worries about the ​growing inability of ​over-stretched service​s to deliver for patients.
Of th...

Source: UNISON meat hygiene - April 25, 2022 Category: Food Science Authors: Fatima Ayad Tags: News Press release 2022 Health Care Service Group Conference Ambulance Sara Gorton Source Type: news