Do you work in the health service as a nurse, healthcare assistant, student nurse, midwife or health visitor? Then make sure you take part in UNISON’s sixth annual safe staffing levels survey.
UNISON has been campaigning to improve staffing levels for years – but we know there are still many workplaces with too few staff.
That’s why the union runs this survey: to find out what staffing levels are like in workplaces across the country on a regular day.
The union is asking those taking part o keep track of the registered nurse-to-patient ratio – how many patients there are per registered nurse in their workplace on 7 February – and then answer questions in an online survey.
All answers are kept anonymous and non-attributable, so everyone is encouraged to answer honestly and fully.
Please fill in your response between 7 February and 9am on 13 February. Responses outside that time won’t be counted.
On 7 February, UNISON is asking those taking part in the survey to track:
- how many total patients there were during their shift;
- how many total nurses there were during their shift;
- how any healthcare assistants and auxiliaries there were during their shift;
- how many hours the shift lasted;
- whether they worked any overtime and how long it was;
- whether they took some, all or none of your breaks;
- what necessary nursing activities were left undone;
- whether your workplace has a set staffing ratio for nursing staff and, if so, what it is.
UNISON head of nursing Gail Adams urges members: “Tell your colleagues. Tell your friends who work in healthcare. Tell your branch. Get as many people involved as possible.
“With your help, we can provide a better picture of the situation with staffing levels across the UK.”
Please email health@unison.co.uk if you would like further information.