STRESSED NURSES QUIT NHS
Figure is nearly 4 times higher than 10 years ago
STRESSED nurses are quitting at the rate of 81 every week.
Last year, 4,231 left the NHS because of the demands of their job – nearly four times as many as 10 years ago.
The shocking figures emerged as nurses are about to vote on further crippling strike action in England.
Pat Cullen, general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, told us: “Poor work-life balance is a core reason why so many of my valued colleagues have walked out of the NHS, most likely never to come back.
“Your 12-hour shift often becomes 13 or 14 – with the extra hours unpaid – to help plug the gaps.
“You get home after the children are in bed and leave again before they wake. It takes a heavy personal toll.”
In 2022, a total of 40,365 nurses left their jobs – up 25% on the previous year. Of those, 4,231 wanted a better work-life balance and 6,329 were retiring. Ten years ago, the number who left citing work-life balance was 1,179 – or 23 a week. NHS figures show there were 43,619 nurse vacancies in the quarter ending December 2022. Ms Cullen said: “Not only are people retiring early but now they quit in the first years of their career, too. Rishi Sunak’s NHS leaves my colleagues in stress, burnout, and takes away the joy of what nursing should be. This is why our members took historic action – a cry for help.” Fourteen unions have accepted a 5% pay offer but the RCN wants 5% above inflation. The new ballot will run May 23 to June 23.
RCN director for England Patricia Marquis added: “Unless the crisis is addressed to make nursing a more attractive profession, patient care will continue to be put at risk.” The Department of Health said the wellbeing of staff “is of paramount importance”. It added: “To ease pressures on staff, the NHS will publish a long-term plan to support and grow the workforce.”
‘‘ Your 12-hour shift often becomes 13 or 14 with no extra pay