NHS workforce – we’re not superhuman
Responding to a joint workforce statement issued by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AoMRC) and organisations representing NHS staff and employers, Professor Ravi Mahajan, President of the Royal College of Anaesthetists said:
“As the NHS emerges from its initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we hear stories of the dedication shown by clinical and non-clinical staff as they cared for and supported their patients to overcome this virus.
“This joint statement from the AoMRC is rightly calling on the Government to focus on addressing long-term workforce issues to ensure the NHS is adequately staffed and supported going forwards. NHS staff are not machines. They are not superhuman heroes. They are clinicians who have dedicated themselves to improving the lives of their patients.
“The Royal College of Anaesthetists has long championed the need to expand and better support the anaesthetic workforce and we are therefore pleased to back this statement. As the single largest hospital speciality in the NHS, we know how crucial it is that our staff are listened to, supported and valued. It is important we continue to learn from our experiences during this pandemic to correct and improve elements of how our workforce is treated and the expectations placed upon them.
“From our own research and activities to support the anaesthetic workforce, we know there is a consultant workforce gap in UK anaesthetic departments; it was approximately 6.9% in 2018 and has been on an increase since. Also, between 2012 and 2018 the number of anaesthetists in training declined by 6.5%1. High workloads and inflexible working patterns have led to increasing levels of stress, poor welfare, morale and fatigue2. The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on the need for genuine and long-lasting systematic change. It is important that we are able to make the NHS an attractive place to work, put processes in place to retain our skilled staff and support them when their patients need them the most.
“The NHS’ response to the pandemic has been incredible and we must celebrate and share recent improvements such as cross-skilling and multi-disciplinary working. The determination of our healthcare leaders and the innovations of cross-specialty working has shown what we can do when we work together. The continuation of this way of working, along with Government’s requested support to address the welfare and morale issues of NHS staff will go a long way to helping healthcare staff provide the best possible care for their patients. Our patients, our colleagues and the NHS depend on it.”
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