A new survey by UNISON, the UK’s biggest health trade union, reveals that three quarters of NHS workers said there isn’t enough staff in their ward or team and that almost two thirds (63%) are worried about patient safety as a result.
The online survey of 3,380 UNISON members reveals how workers are working harder and longer hours for free to make up for the staff shortages. Nearly two thirds (64%) of NHS staff work overtime and almost three in five (58%) said their workload has increased.
It also reveals that 70% of them are not paid when they work over their shift, two thirds rarely leave work on time and half (49%) are not able to take breaks because of their workload.
More than three quarters (77%) said they are not at all satisfied with their pay and seven in ten don’t feel valued by their employers despite the extra effort and goodwill NHS workers bring to the service.
A staggering four in five (83%) NHS workers said they have to work more for less money and more than seven in ten (71%) said they had a poor work life balance.
Christina McAnea, UNISON Head of Health, said:
“NHS staff are overworked and underpaid. They come in to work early, work through their breaks and rarely leave on time. The NHS depends on the goodwill and commitment of the workforce and this is now at breaking point.
“Years of pay freezes, and the rise in the cost of living means our members are struggling to make ends meet. And that is why they will be staging a second set of industrial action next week along with members of ten other trade unions.
“The Government has made no attempt to resolve this dispute and staff have been left with no alternative but to take more industrial action. All we are asking for is fair pay in the NHS.
“Low morale is endemic. And a demotivated, stressed workforce is bad for patients and bad for the NHS. It’s time NHS workers get a fair deal for the invaluable work they do.”
UNISON health members in England will stage a second four-hour stoppage on Monday 24 November 2014. This will be followed by a week of action short of strike action when workers will work to rule, ensure to take their breaks and not work for free.
Ends
Notes to Editors
About UNISON’s survey
The online survey was sent to a random sample of 18,000 UNISON members working in the NHS in September 2014.3,380 members responded.
The sample:
40% work in the nursing family.
32% work as administration staff.
66% identify as women.
25% are aged between 35 and 44.
36% are aged between 45 and 54.
About the NHS industrial action:
Eleven trade unions will be taking part in the industrial action. Nine will stage a four-hour stoppage. They are:
UNISON
Royal College of Midwives (RCM)
Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians (UCATT)
Society of Radiographers (SoR)
British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT)
GMB
Unite the union
Managers in Partnership (MiP)
Prison Officers Association (POA)
Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association* (HCSA)
British Dietetic Association * (BDA)
*HCSA and BDA will stage a week of action short of strike action between Tuesday 25 and Sunday 30 November 2014.
