‘We try our hardest but basic needs can’t be met’

Hannah Fields*, 26, is a student nurse, from Stockport, following the same work schedule as her fully qualified counterparts. She says, “These statistics are horrifying, but to say it’s because doctors and nurses don’t care enough is very wrong. The truth is, we’re so overstretched and we try our hardest, but basic needs can’t always be met. On an average day, I look after 12 patients, but if a colleague is off sick, I might have to take on their workload, too. If a patient requires a controlled drug, such as morphine, two nurses must be present while the drug is being prepared, checked and administered. When we’re so understaffed, it means that we have less time to provide general hygiene, as well as food and drink, so the more vulnerable patients, such as children or the elderly, don’t always get the care they need. I haven’t worked a shift in the past month that hasn’t been understaffed.

“I work 13-hour shifts, and often won’t get my first break until at least seven hours in – I get around 30 minutes. I live off biscuits that patients offer us, and I’ve had countless water infections because I don’t have time to eat or drink. Last week, a doctor had to check my blood pressure because I was close to passing out.

“Recently, the Government pulled funding that pays NHS bursaries, so now there’s a huge downturn in people becoming nurses. Sometimes, we have lunchtime volunteers who help with mealtimes, but they’re few and far between. Thankfully, family members will often bring in food for their loved ones, but the responsibility shouldn’t fall on them and it makes me feel so guilty. If we want to put an end to these needless deaths, the NHS needs help.”