Most doctors remain fearful of winter pressures

A new poll has revealed that less than a third of doctors have been asked to take part in planning for winter, despite last winter being one of the worst on record for the NHS.

The Royal College of Physicians research indicates that 56 per cent of respondents, mainly doctors, trainees, consultants and speciality and associate specialist doctors, are worried or very worried about the ability of their service to deliver safe patient care this winter, with only 17 per cent saying they are confident or very confident.

The November poll also found that doctors didn't know how recent £240 million emergency funding for social care will help, with only 66 of the 1,737 respondents aware of how it will be used to reduce the pressure on their hospital, from providing beds in the community to employing more carers.

Andrew Goddard, RCP president, said: “We know the government and NHS are doing much more to plan for winter than they were prior to 2017/18. We also know that staff will continue to go above and beyond this winter. But it’s critical that they feel valued.

“We urge trusts to take this opportunity to share their plans with staff now, and adapt them where possible based on feedback from the frontline. We need to feel confident that these plans are in place so we can get on with the job of providing direct clinical care. When we’re concerned that the wheels could fall off any moment, the pressure goes up and morale goes down.

“As NHS Improvement’s Focus on improving patient flow says, good management of emergency admissions is a ‘team sport’. And if all elements of the workforce are involved in planning, they’ll feel personally better prepared.”