![Covid – appeal for long-term plan to help ‘burnt out’ nurses](https://chadlaw.dnsupdate.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/GettyImages-856544984-724x388.jpg)
02
Feb 2021
Covid – appeal for long-term plan to help ‘burnt out’ nurses
The Royal College of Nursing have said a long-term plan is needed to help nurses cope with post-traumatic stress resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.
Last year, the nursing union ran a survey looking at the impact the pandemic was having on front-line staff and how it had changed nurses’ lives.
Of the 2,000 members in Wales who had taken part, 75.9 per cent reported increased stress levels and 52 per cent were concerned about their mental health.
RCN Wales’ associate director of nursing Nicky Hughes, said “The Welsh government needs to set a long-term plan in place to deal with post-traumatic stress and other mental health issues amongst nurses as a result of the pandemic.
“Nurses are exhausted, stressed and nearing burnout. Every day they tell us that they feel that they have nothing left to give and feel devalued.”
Mental health charity Mind Cymru agreed with the union that a “coherent long-term strategy” was needed to help nurses deal with the pandemic’s effect on their mental health.
Simon Jones, the charity’s head of policy, said “We urge Welsh Government to factor this in to their plans and take the necessary steps to give people the support they need.
“Nursing staff and other healthcare professionals have played, and continue to play, a vital role in combatting the pandemic, often putting their own health and wellbeing at risk.
“Even before the outbreak, we heard from many healthcare professionals struggling with the mental health impact of things like long working hours without breaks, unsociable shift patterns, and dealing with traumatic events.”
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.
If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.
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.
Freephone : 0800 304 7382
- Like this ? Share with friends