Supporting nurses and midwives to deliver high quality care
| The review, led by Professor Michael West, sets out eight key recommendations aimed at supporting nurses and midwives to flourish in their work and to provide sustainable, compassionate and high-quality care. The report was commissioned by the RCN Foundation and involves a detailed examination of available evidence, new analysis of key data and interviews with staff at all levels across the NHS and social care. The report finds that staff stress, absenteeism and turnover in these professions have reached alarmingly high levels. This has been compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has laid bare and exacerbated longer-term issues including chronic excessive workload, inadequate working conditions, staff burnout and inequalities, particularly among minority ethnic groups. Among the recommendations is an urgent call for a review of how 12-hour shifts affect staff mental health and wellbeing and patient safety, as well as, suggestions to improve working conditions, shift patterns, workplace culture, teamworking, support for new staff, supervision and learning opportunities. To read the report click here. |