Nurses in NHS hospitals and care homes are facing significant challenges due to chronic understaffing, leading to detrimental effects on their health and well-being, as highlighted in a recent survey.

The Royal College of Nursing reported that workforce shortages are causing nurses to experience nightmares, panic attacks, and feelings of pressure to continue working even when they are unwell. The union has seen a surge in calls from overwhelmed staff, with the highest volume of inquiries since 2022.

A survey of over 20,000 UK nursing professionals revealed a concerning trend, with 66% admitting to working while sick multiple times a year—a notable increase from 2017. Stress emerged as the primary cause of illness among staff, cited by 65.1% of respondents, marking a significant rise from previous years.

The data also showed that a substantial number of nurses are working beyond their contracted hours, with 70% exceeding their agreed-upon workload at least once a week, and over half doing so without compensation.

Recent NHS figures for June indicate an overall sickness absence rate of 4.9% for NHS staff in England, with nurses and health visitors experiencing rates of 5.3%. Notably, anxiety and stress were responsible for a significant portion of lost workdays among healthcare staff.

Personal accounts from frontline workers paint a grim picture of the challenges they face, such as chronic stress-related illnesses, nightmares, and the fear of unsafe working environments due to understaffing.

In response to these alarming findings, Professor Nicola Ranger, the RCN General Secretary, emphasized the urgent need for action to address the toll on nursing staff caused by understaffing and inadequate resources. The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the issues and outlined plans to improve conditions for nurses, including enhanced support services, flexible working arrangements, and measures to combat workplace violence and harassment.

The current situation underscores the critical need to prioritize the well-being of healthcare professionals to ensure optimal patient care outcomes and mitigate the adverse effects of overburdened healthcare systems on staff members.