![Covid-19 – ‘exhausted and traumatised’ hospital staff need time to recover](https://chadlaw.dnsupdate.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/AE-stock-photo-57296722-surgeons-checking-patient.jpg)
09
Feb 2021
Covid-19 – ‘exhausted and traumatised’ hospital staff need time to recover
According to NHS Providers, the group representing hospitals in England, medical staff need time to recover before tackling an NHS backlog, and they added that many staff could resign if their wellbeing is not factored into plans to cut waiting lists.
During the Covid pandemic, the number of people waiting for longer than 12 months for surgery has increased 1,614 to 192,000 and whilst demand for hospital beds has eased, the pressure on intensive care units is still intense.
Currently, there are 34,783 people with coronavirus in hospital in the UK. During the first peak in April 2020, there were 21,684 Covid patients in hospital.
The organisation estimates that it will take at least a month for the NHS to return to the usual winter pressures and trusts are worried about the transition into the next phase of the pandemic.
Although critical work that has been postponed, including a small number of urgent cancer cases, will be a priority, there still remains a need to tackle a wider backlog of routine operations alongside the vaccination programme.
A study last month suggested that many hospital staff treating the sickest patients at the time of the first wave of the pandemic were left traumatised by the experience. Nearly half of those surveyed reported symptoms of depression, severe anxiety, problem drinking or post-traumatic stress disorder. One in seven had had thoughts of self-harming or feeling that they would be “better off dead”.
Staff morale is low and it does not feel as if there are signs of any let-up.
Hence NHS Providers has warned that just because Covid patient numbers are easing, there should not be any expectation of a return to normal service any time soon.
Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.
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Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
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