This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Doctors’ decisions swayed by staff shortages
A new survey has found that staff shortages and a lack of equipment are affecting the day-to-day decisions about patient care by doctors and nurses.
The representative survey of NHS clinicians revealed that 54 per cent admitted that factors such as a lack of staff played a role in their decisions about patients beyond what was in their best interests. Additionally, 31 per cent of staff said that staffing levels were the top factor affecting decisions about patients. A fifth said the availability of services such as key tests were a significant factor; 16 per cent cited a lack of equipment; and 12 per cent cited beds.
The survey also revealed that more than two-fifths of clinicians, 42 per cent, believe a ‘blame culture’ in the NHS plays a top role in preventing staff admitting to mistakes in care.
Looking specifically at maternity services, the research found that 68 per cent of nurses and midwives said at least one factor other than what was in patients’ best interest played a role in their decisions, with staffing levels again cited as having the biggest impact with 46 per cent citing this as an issue.
The Royal College of Midwives has said the NHS is short of 3,000 midwives while the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said consultant levels could have to increase by 20 per cent to make wards safer.
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