Abstract
Emergency departments (EDs) across the UK are facing crisis level pressures that are bearing a significant burden on patient care and staff wellbeing. Many services within the NHS are struggling to deliver optimum care in the context of chronic under funding, lack of sustained investment and the after-effects of a multi-wave pandemic. Emergency Care (EC) is no exception; even prior to the pandemic, EC work environments were reported to be the most intense and high-pressured, with clinical staff expressing highest level of burnout in comparison to other specialties. Workforce retention has been at crisis level for over a decade and is now deepening, with little progress made despite targeted initiatives. The safe delivery of EC is now under serious threat.
Over the past few years, several important factors have been identified as key contributors to the strain and pressure EC is currently under. This has included crowding, bed shortages, and workforce strain. While these issues are undoubtedly vital targets for change, it is also important to consider how staff wellbeing and burnout contribute to the systemic pressures within EC.
EDs are dynamic, stimulating and high-pressured environments that play an essential role in the health and wellbeing of the nation; however, they rely on wellbeing of the staff to function well, which we know directly affects standards of care for patients.
In this report we will draw from up-to-date evidence and our previous acute insight series reports to examine the issue of burnout in the EC workforce and how addressing this core problem is key to maintaining both standards of practice and workforce retention. The capacity of our emergency healthcare workforce is currently compromised beyond what is safe. To deliver adequate care consistently, within the context of high demand, whilst beyond capacity and on an unrelenting basis, is simply unrealistic and can only result in poor outcomes for patients and staff alike. Action is needed to address these issues urgently.
Over the past few years, several important factors have been identified as key contributors to the strain and pressure EC is currently under. This has included crowding, bed shortages, and workforce strain. While these issues are undoubtedly vital targets for change, it is also important to consider how staff wellbeing and burnout contribute to the systemic pressures within EC.
EDs are dynamic, stimulating and high-pressured environments that play an essential role in the health and wellbeing of the nation; however, they rely on wellbeing of the staff to function well, which we know directly affects standards of care for patients.
In this report we will draw from up-to-date evidence and our previous acute insight series reports to examine the issue of burnout in the EC workforce and how addressing this core problem is key to maintaining both standards of practice and workforce retention. The capacity of our emergency healthcare workforce is currently compromised beyond what is safe. To deliver adequate care consistently, within the context of high demand, whilst beyond capacity and on an unrelenting basis, is simply unrealistic and can only result in poor outcomes for patients and staff alike. Action is needed to address these issues urgently.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Royal College of Emergency Medicine |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Publication status | Published - 10 Jan 2024 |
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the following for the authoring and research:• Dr Jo Daniels, PIPP Project Lead, Senior Lecturer and Clinical Psychologist,
University of Bath, North Bristol NHS Trust
• Professor Edd Carlton, Professor for the Royal College of Emergency Medicine,
University of Bristol, North Bristol NHS Trust
Research Assistant Input:
• Rita De Nicola, University of Bath
• Eike Ries, University of Bath