24 September 2020
Responding to the publication of NHS Confederation’s report COVID-19 and the health and care workforce: supporting our greatest asset, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, Dr Katherine Henderson said:
“This report shows that there is understandable concern about the long-term impact of Covid-19 on staff, and we agree with the actions NHS Confederation outlines to help support staff.
“It is crucial that measures to tackle burnout are implemented and key to this will be expanding the workforce. We estimate that in Emergency Medicine we are currently short of around 2,500 consultants and 4,000 nurses. Recruitment of these extra staff will ease pressure on our existing workforce and facilitate more sustainable working practices.
“Investment in staff mental health and wellbeing is necessary, but the underlining issue is staff shortages are resulting in too much pressure on staff. The comprehensive spending review is an ideal opportunity to provide the resources needed to help relieve our overworked staff and fulfil the ambitions of the NHS People Plan.”
