Tuesday, 21 April 2020
A new survey published today highlights the concerns nurses and midwives in the UK have about COVID-19 and the risks it poses to their physical and mental health, as well as the health of their families.
Respondents also reported training for staff redeployed to front line care was inadequate or non-existent. These results show there is an urgent need to provide support for the health and wellbeing of staff, and to ensure they have access to ongoing training.
The ICON study, led by the Royal College of Nursing Research Society steering group, is a collaboration between King’s College London, University of Warwick, the University of Nottingham, Cardiff University, University of Plymouth, University of Surrey and St Bartholomew’s Hospital.
It is a longitudinal survey to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on the UK nursing and midwifery workforce. The survey is being undertaken at three time-points: prior to COVID-19 peak, during the COVID-19 peak, and in the recovery period following COVID-19. The results from each point are being reported in real time, so the findings could be used to inform workforce strategies within the NHS and social care. This summary concerns the early results of the first survey (prior to COVID-19 peak).
The first survey was open for responses between 2-14 April 2020. All members of the UK nursing and midwifery workforce were eligible to complete the survey, including registered nurses, registered midwives, student nurses, healthcare support workers, nursing associates, and trainee nursing associates. The survey was distributed by social media, the Royal College of Nursing, Nursing and Midwifery Council, and other key professional organisations.
2,600 members of the nursing and midwifery workforce participated in the survey and provided complete or near-complete data.
Initial findings include:
- 74% feel their personal health is at risk during COVID-19 due to their clinical role.
- 92% are worried about risks to family members during COVID-19 due to their clinical role.
- Almost one-third (33%) respondents reported severe or extremely severe depression, anxiety or stress.
- Of those being redeployed within the NHS, 62% either reported that their training was either non-existent, or inadequate.
- 52% respondents had worked over their contracted hours on their last shift- two-thirds of these respondents will not be paid for their additional work.
- 25% disagreed that correct PPE was always available (with only 44% agreeing that it was available)
- 52% were either lacking in confidence regarding COVID-19 infection control and prevention training that they had received or had received no training.
- 26% respondents had needed to self-isolate, of which 37% did not have personal symptoms and 64% missed four or more shifts due to self-isolation.
Commenting on the key implications for the nursing and midwifery workforce, Dr Holly Blake, Associate Professor of Behavioural Science at the University of Nottingham said: “These early findings demonstrate the impact of covid-19 on nurses and midwives, with many feeling unprepared due to lack of access to training or essential equipment. Stress, anxiety and depression are common, with around one third reporting these mental health impacts to be severe. There is a clear need to provide ongoing training and psychological support during and after the outbreak.”
The ICON team acknowledges support and advice from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine Trainee Emergency Research Network CERA study team, on which parts of this study are based.
Follow-up surveys will be advertised on social media - please follow @RCNResearchSoc for updates.
Story credits
More information is available from Dr Holly Blake from the School of Health Sciences at the University of Nottingham, at Holly.blake@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
More news…