Important contributory factors

A UNISON public services union survey found health staff are suffering severe mental health problems including panic attacks because of the pandemic. The findings, published in January 2021, showed almost half (48%) of health employees,​ including nurses, porters, paramedics, healthcare assistants and A&E staff, across the UK have struggled to cope.

The union’s Worry in Mind report is based on responses from more than 14,000 employees in hospitals, GP practices and other locations such as community clinics. Fear of getting sick with Covid (60%) was the top reason given for a deterioration in their state of mind, followed by being unable to see friends and family (55%). Just under 10% were having to live away from home to protect their family. Almost half blamed increased workload (49%), with more than half (57%) of staff saying the amount they are having to do has risen during the pandemic.