Union says frontline NHS staff ‘struggling to cope’

AMBULANCE workers are being “overwhelmed” and suffering from stress when they finish their shifts because of the pressures they are facing, according to a new report.

Unison said its research revealed that emotional breakdowns, sleep problems, mood swings and the use of antidepressants were among issues reported by staff who have been dealing with “unprecedented” demand for months.

The union said staff shortages, lack of capacity in hospitals due to Covid and long-term underfunding have all contributed to “major problems” over the past few months.

Three out of four of more than 1,100 staff in various ambulance services roles across the UK who were surveyed said stress and pressure in their services has increased since pre-Covid days.

Over half said they felt “overwhelmed” by work and a similar proportion were struggling to cope with the demands of their jobs.

Of those ambulance workers who reported feeling stressed, three in five voiced concern that ambulances were taking too long to reach people in need.

More than half said long handovers outside hospitals were putting patients’ lives at risk.

More than one in four said they were using medication such as antidepressants and over a third revealed they have taken time off work sick.

Unison’s head of health Sara Gorton said: “The increasing demands on already-stretched services is taking a terrible toll on ambulance employees and their mental health.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We recognise the pressure NHS staff are under, especially those on the front line in the ambulance service, and we continue to thank them for their dedicated hard work.

“We have provided an extra £55 million to boost ambulance staff numbers... on top of our Covid recovery plan.”