More than half of social care staff considering quitting over pandemic impact

NHS and social care staff in London have revealed that they feel let down by the Government and unable to cope with work-related stress, according to a survey published by UNISON.

The findings are based on responses from over 2,000 health and care workers across the capital.

Seven in ten staff responding to the survey (70%) said they’d been so overwhelmed by work-related stress they felt unable to cope.

Over half (54%) admitted they’d considered quitting the NHS or social care altogether due to the pressures experienced over the past year, the union added.

The survey results reveal a third (33%) didn’t feel they had enough support in the workplace to protect their well-being.

Nearly a quarter (24%) of employees sought professional help to deal with the strain their roles placed on their mental health, UNISON says.

Nearly three quarters (74%) of staff felt the Government had failed to protect their personal safety adequately throughout the pandemic.

More than three in ten (31%) admitted they’d had to work in roles they felt unqualified for due to Covid-related staff shortages, according to the survey.

Almost three quarters (74%) of social care staff said the Government’s recommendation of a 1% pay rise for health workers was an insult, UNISON added.

Jamie Brown, Head of Health for UNISON London said care workers have “given their all” in the pandemic, and their physical and mental health has suffered as a result.

“Staff need urgent access to well-being helplines, as well as on-site mental health support teams.

”Morale is understandably on the floor, which isn’t helped one bit by the Government insisting on claiming a 1% pay rise is all the country can afford.”

As a result of the survey, UNISON and other organisations are urging the Government to provide a £3.9bn emergency cash injection so social care staff can receive a “real living wage” of £10.85 an hour.