‘Toxic’ conditions leading to nurses leaving Southend hospital

A whistleblower is warning that ‘toxic’ working conditions are resulting in nursing staff leaving Southend University Hospital’s emergency department.

 

The experienced A&E nurse claimed staff felt “helpless and unsupported” and “completely broken”, adding that around 15 nurses had recently left to work in different departments or even resigned from the NHS.

 

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Southend, Basildon and Broomfield Hospitals, was rated by the Care Quality Commission as “requiring improvement” following an unannounced inspection last year after concerns about standards were raised.

 

The whistleblower claimed “every single shift” was short-staffed by as many as five to eight nurses, adding “My colleagues are suffering and are walking away from the profession as it is toxic here.

 

“I am sure patients’ long-term health is already suffering too.  If somebody is critically ill, the longer you leave it to stat their treatment, the less chance of recovery.

 

“It is awful.  It is worse than I have ever known it.  We have got so many people leaving.  Conditions are terrible.  The workload is unmanageable.  The culture is appalling and staff do not feel supported.”

 

The Royal College of Nursing’s Tony Durcan, said “Staffing shortages pile extra pressure on the nursing staff who remain.

 

“The NHS Staff Survey for 2021 found that only 15.5% of registered nurses and midwives at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust believed there were enough staff for themto do their job properly, down from 31% the previous year.”

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

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