Deputy chief strategy and transformation officer at North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust living in Southwell talks about the NHS staff current challenges

A senior manager says increased demand, more scrutiny and high expectations make it harder to work in the NHS than ever before.

Dale Travis, of Southwell, was speaking out in response to a survey that showed more than half of NHS staff who responded had reported anxiety in the last six months.

She is deputy chief strategy and transformation officer at North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust.

“I love working for the NHS because of the camaraderie between staff members, who work incredibly hard for our patients, but I feel it is much harder to work for the NHS now than it’s ever been," she said.

"There is more demand, higher scrutiny from the media and increased patient expectation, as well as more recruitment difficulties than before.

"This has led to the hardest winter I’ve ever experienced."

Just under half the respondents to the NHS Charities Together survey said they had experienced physical exhaustion. Nearly one in four reported depression and one in five admitted they would benefit from intensive therapy for trauma support.

It has led NHS Charities Together ­— a national charity caring for the NHS ­— launching a campaign to harness support for the healthcare workforce.

“Projects that support staff are so important and it’s the little things that make the difference, such as mobile tea caddies for staff that can’t get away from the clinical areas, and wellbeing zones so that they have the chance to relax," said Dale.

"Counselling for staff is also incredibly valuable. The responsibility we face as health workers can be astronomical and having someone professional to talk to is a lifeline.”

Despite the ongoing challenges, a different survey showed that UK public support for NHS staff was as high as ever, with nine in ten people say the still value the work of those in the NHS.

NHS Charities Together fund a range of projects supporting NHS charities, staff, patients and volunteers, including counselling services, helplines, and intensive psychological support for NHS staff.

For a second year running, NHS Charities Together is running its #withallourhearts campaign throughout March.

It raises awareness of the increasing need for support for NHS staff and the difference NHS charities can make to their health and wellbeing, while sharing the reality of life on the front line.

Ellie Orton, chief executive at NHS Charities Together, said: “For most of the NHS workforce theirs is still the greatest job in the world, but it comes with challenges. And three years after the onset of covid-19, things have not got any easier.

"Dealing with ever-increasing waitlists, long hours and scrutiny, all while recovering from the strain of a global pandemic, mental health issues are sadly all too prevalent, but with the right infrastructure they are an avoidable casualty.

“NHS Charities Together is working hard to support all NHS staff who need it, and we’re grateful for everyone who helps make that support possible.”