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10.04.15

Job-related stress affecting 90% of ambulance workers

Approximately 90% of ambulance workers say they are suffering with stress due to the long hours and mental demands being placed on them by the job, according to a new Unison survey. 

The study of 2,977 ambulance workers revealed that as a result of pressures on the service and workers, 82% of respondents admitted they had thought about leaving the job. 

On top of this, more than a third (38%) said they had to take time off sick because of work- related stress and a quarter (26%) admitted they were close to doing so. 

Almost 60% admitted they did not tell their employer the reason they were off sick was stress, and worryingly only 6% said they would talk to a manager or a supervisor to cope with stress. 

Unison head of health Christina McAnea said: “Working in emergency services is stressful but the pressure on ambulance staff is reaching dangerously high levels. 

“It is unacceptable that the current system doesn’t allow for proper breaks between shifts. Workers have told us they often work 14-hour shifts without a decent break. 

“Higher call out rates and lengthy waits outside A&E departments are adding to the problem. It is clear that the pressure caused by government funding cuts is having a huge impact on staff and on patient safety. But it is vital that patients use the service responsibly, for example only calling 999 for an ambulance when there is a real emergency.” 

More than two-thirds of respondents said their employer did not support a good work-life balance and two in five (40%) admitted they might need to take time off if the situation did not improve. 

“The pressure on workers is mounting and the apparent lack of support from their employers means they are suffering in silence,” said McAnea. “Year after year the levels of stress remain unacceptably high and yet neither employers nor the government have done anything to address this. It is no wonder areas such as London are now having to go to the other side of the world to recruit paramedics.” 

NHE has sought comment from the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) about this, but at the time of publication had received no reply. 

However, the boss of the East of England Ambulance Service Trust said stress-related absence among staff has reduced in the past year. 

Trust chief executive Anthony Marsh said: “Our staff do a very demanding job, often in very difficult circumstances helping to save lives and improve patient care. I have already put in place actions, such as recruiting hundreds more front-line staff and buying new ambulances, to ease the pressure on our dedicated staff and better support our staff. 

“Staff wellbeing is of the utmost importance to me and we have a number of support mechanisms available 24/7 to make sure everyone gets any help and advice they need in the line of duty. I will continue to do everything I can to support and care for my staff whilst they treat and care for our patients.”

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