Responding to NHS England investment of £15million into strengthening mental health support for nursing staff and other professionals, Dame Donna Kinnair, RCN Chief Executive and General Secretary, said:
“This pandemic has required nursing staff to show incredible dedication. Some nursing staff have had to make decisions that put patients’ needs above their own. They have stayed away from friends and family, in hotels, so they can keep working. They have worked longer hours in highly pressurised settings.
"We welcome this further support that recognises what healthcare staff have had to put up with, and hope this is the only the start of a sustained focus on the wellbeing of nursing staff. Many of the factors that worsen the wellbeing of the workforce existed before COVID-19 such as unhealthy working patterns and a severe shortage of staff.
“Employers, in all settings and sectors, must determine the impact these issues have on their staff and take action immediately."
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