Tag: NHS

3 in 4 UK adults have received both Covid vaccine doses

  • Three quarters of UK adults have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine as the phenomenal roll-out continues
  • 2 doses provide over 90% protection against hospitalisation from the Delta variant, which is the dominant strain in the UK
  • Latest data shows 60,000 deaths and 66,900 hospitalisations have been prevented by the vaccines

Three quarters of adults in the UK have now received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, as the public continues to do what it can to protect themselves, their loved ones and their community.

A total of 86,780,455 doses have been administered in the UK, with 47,091,889 people receiving a first dose (89%) and 39,688,566 people receiving both doses (75%).

Data from Public Health England (PHE) shows COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective against hospitalisation from the Delta (B.1.617.2) variant. The analysis shows the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is 96% effective and the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is 92% effective against hospitalisation after 2 doses.

The latest data from PHE and Cambridge University shows that around 60,000 deaths, 22 million infections and 66,900 hospitalisations have been prevented by the vaccines.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Our incredible vaccine roll-out has now provided vital protection against the virus to three quarters of all UK adults. This is a huge national achievement, which we should all be proud of.

“It’s so important that those who haven’t been vaccinated come forward as soon as possible to book their jab – to protect themselves, protect their loved ones and allow us all to enjoy our freedoms safely.”

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “Three in 4 adults across the UK have now had both doses of the vaccine, which is incredible and a testament to the fantastic work of the NHS, volunteers and everyone involved in the roll-out.

“Getting 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine is the key to enjoying a host of new freedoms safely – whether that be to enjoy a trip abroad with family or a night out with friends – as we continue to build our wall of protection.

“The vaccines are allowing us to reconnect with the things we love, but more than that, they’re protecting the people we love too. Please make sure to come forward for your jab if you haven’t already as soon as possible.”

The UK government is working closely with the NHS to make it as easy as possible to get a vaccine, including through ‘grab a jab’ pop-up vaccine sites across the country – for example, at London-based club Heaven last weekend (Sunday 8 August) as well as football stadiums and festivals up and down the country.

People can make an appointment through the national booking system either online or by calling 119, and can use a vaccination centre, walk-in centre, or one of the pop-up vaccinations centres that are now in shopping centres, workplaces and high streets.

All adults in the UK are able to get their second doses after 8 weeks. This will mean every adult has the chance to have 2 doses by mid-September.

People will be required to prove they’ve had 2 jabs to enter nightclubs and other venues where large crowds gather by the end of September.

From 16 August, double-vaccinated people will also no longer be required to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case. People will continue to be advised to take a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to detect the virus and variants of concern and anyone who tests positive will still be legally required to self-isolate, irrespective of their vaccination status.

The government announced that double-vaccinated frontline NHS and social care staff in England who have been told to self-isolate will be permitted to attend work in exceptional circumstances and replaced by testing mitigations.

A limited number of critical workers may also in exceptional circumstances be able to leave self-isolation to attend work if deemed a close contact and informed to do so by their employer.

Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi said: “Today marks a historic day for the incredible vaccination programme, with three quarters of UK adults having received both doses of a life-saving COVID-19 vaccine.

“It’s been phenomenal to see first-hand the enthusiasm of the British public for the vaccines, which have now prevented over 66,900 hospitalisations and saved at least 60,000 lives.

“Getting the jab is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones – I urge everyone to get booked in and get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

The UK government secured access to hundreds of millions of doses of the most promising COVID-19 vaccines early on behalf of the entire UK, crown dependencies and overseas territories. The UK’s medicine’s regulator, the MHRA, was the first in the world to approve the Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines, allowing the rapid deployment of vaccines across the country and ensuring the UK has one of the fastest vaccination programmes in the world.

Vaccinated people are far less likely to get COVID-19 with symptoms and even more unlikely to get serious COVID-19, to be admitted to hospital, or to die from it and there is growing evidence that they are less likely to pass the virus to others.

Dr Nikita Kanani, Medical Director for Primary Care and Deputy for the NHS COVID-19 Programme, said: “NHS staff have pulled out all the stops to get the lifesaving COVID jab to people as soon as possible and their exceptional hard work rolling out the biggest and fastest vaccination programme in history has meant that three quarters of all adults are now fully vaccinated, including 95% of people aged 50 and over in England.

“Getting the vaccine is the single most important step you can take to protect yourself and others, with hundreds of convenient vaccination sites across the country, including pop-up clinics in the park and at festivals and walk-in locations too.

“And so if you haven’t already, I would urge you to come forward today and join the tens of millions of people who have already been vaccinated.”

YouGov polling also shows the UK continues to be one of the top nations where people are willing to have a COVID-19 vaccine or have already been vaccinated. 

ONS data published on 9 August shows that more than 9 in 10 (96%) adults reported positive sentiment towards the vaccine, and vaccine hesitancy for those aged 18 to 21 has almost halved from 9% to 5%. The statistics also showed hesitancy has decreased for those aged 16 and 17 from 14% to 11%.

Nurse who vaccinated FM reflects on pandemic experience

A West Dunbartonshire nurse, who found herself in the limelight when she vaccinated the First Minister, has been reflecting on her pandemic experience.

The day job normally for Elaine Anderson (51) is vaccinating school pupils against diseases such as tetanus, diphtheria and polio, but since January she’s been at the forefront of the Covid vaccination programme.

Elaine, from Clydebank, said: “Early on it was recognised that the School Immunisation teams had a great deal of experience in this area and as the schools were closed, we were brought into the Covid vaccination programme.

“It’s been an absolute honour, really quite overwhelming actually. In the beginning, people were coming in, often it was the first time they had been out of the house in months. Some were in tears, there was such relief.

“There’s been a real sense of solidarity – we are in this Covid war together and we will beat it.

“I have met so any great people from so many walks of life. Everyone has a story. So many interesting people I would never normally meet. Now we are vaccinating the young people which is fabulous. Many just say please get it into me – they just want go get back to normality.”

In April, Elaine found herself in front of the cameras when she gave the First Minister her first vaccination – the day Nicola Sturgeon referred to vaccinators as “heroes”.

Elaine said: “It was another honour. She was lovely and quite emotional. My son was very impressed and was telling all his friends his mum is famous as she vaccinated Nicola! Nicola, not even the First Minister!

“Nothing makes me happier than looking out the window and seeing people in their droves, lining up to get their vaccination. There’s such excitement; I get a real buzz. My parting line to them is please don’t have a vaccination party!”

“Don’t forget about flu”

Free flu vaccination programme extended

More people than ever in Scotland will be offered the free flu vaccine to help protect as many lives as possible this winter.

Those people eligible for the free flu vaccine now include:

  • those aged 50 and over
  • those aged 6 months to 49 years who have certain underlying health conditions which increase risk
  • pregnant women
  • children aged 2-5 (not yet at school)
  • health and social care staff
  • unpaid and young carers
  • all primary and secondary school age children, (in school setting)
  • independent NHS contractors, (GP, dental and optometry practices, community pharmacists), laboratory staff (working on COVID-19 testing) including support staff
  • teachers, nursery teachers and support staff in close contact with pupils
  • prison staff and support staff in close contact with the prison population (delivering direct detention services)
  • those in the prison population

The flu vaccination programme will run from this September until March 2022. All those who are eligible are being urged to take up the offer as soon as possible when invited to protect themselves and others and help the NHS and social care services avoid additional pressure over the winter period.

Almost every year in Scotland thousands of people are hospitalised with flu. This winter our immunity may be even lower than usual due to lower levels of the flu virus circulating last year as a result of the crucial public health measures in place to protect the population from COVID-19. Therefore this year, more than ever, it is important to get the flu vaccine to ensure everyone is protected.

Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer has written to the healthcare professionals who will be delivering the flu vaccine to ensure they are prepared to deliver our largest ever flu programme from September.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “Flu can be extremely serious and is very infectious. With COVID-19 still circulating in the community we can best protect the people of Scotland by encouraging everyone eligible to get vaccinated against flu too. 

“That’s why this flu season, we are extending the vaccination programme and offering the flu vaccine to around four million people in Scotland. This will help to protect those most at risk as well as ease pressure on our National Health Service and social care services. The vaccines are safe and the best way to help protect you, and others, from flu this winter.”

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Nicola Steedman said: “The public health measures put in place to help fight against COVID-19 meant that the circulation of flu viruses was very low last season.

“As restrictions continue to lift and we get back to living our lives more normally it is important this year, more than ever, that you receive your flu vaccine if you are eligible, and before flu starts to spread widely. It only takes a few minutes to be vaccinated, and it helps to provide protection from flu for the period of time that flu is likely to be circulating in Scotland.

“The JCVI has also published interim advice on providing a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to those eligible in the autumn. Any such extension to the vaccine programme would run alongside the vital flu programme, to protect those at risk from flu this winter.

“We will take this into account while we await the final JCVI recommendations. But we urge people not to forget about flu, and to come forward for their flu vaccination this year.”

Two metre distancing to remain in healthcare facilities

Physical distancing will remain in place at health care settings across Scotland from Monday (August 9) when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted elsewhere in the country.

Hospitals, GP surgeries and dentists will be among the locations which will continue to observe the current two metre distancing requirement to help control the spread of the virus.

The measure will be reviewed as the NHS remobilises safely from the pandemic.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “The safety of patients and healthcare staff is paramount.

“As we move beyond level 0, we must remember that the  virus has not gone away and safeguards like distancing may be needed in some settings as we learn to live with COVID-19.

“Physical distancing in our health system will remain for now as we move safely out of lockdown.

“We will keep the situation under review and will publish a plan for the safe recovery of our NHS in the coming weeks.”

Deputy Chief Nursing Officer Anne Armstrong said: “Hospitals and other health care settings have developed new ways of working to meet the challenges of the pandemic, but there is still a risk of hospitalised cases and winter threats.

“Physical distancing will help protect staff and patients as part of the ongoing management of confirmed or suspected COVID cases.”  

Letters: Half of all pancreatic cancer patients are not prescribed tablets they need to stop them starving

Dear Editor,

Shockingly, despite pancreatic cancer being the deadliest common, half of all pancreatic cancer patients are not prescribed the inexpensive tablets they need to stop them starving.

As Chief Exec of Pancreatic Cancer UK, I am deeply concerned that so many patients  are missing out on this medication – called Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy (PERT) – which is just as vital for people with pancreatic cancer as insulin is for those with diabetes.

The main cause is a lack of awareness among health professionals, who do a wonderful job caring for people, but don’t specialise in the disease or treat pancreatic cancer patients as frequently as those with other more common types of cancer.

PERT enables patients to digest food, helping them to tolerate treatment and to manage debilitating symptoms from the cancer – including pain, diarrhoea and extreme weight loss. A simple prescription could give so many people with incurable pancreatic cancer more – and better quality – time with their loved ones.

We need action across the NHS to raise awareness of PERT tablets and ensure everyone who needs them is prescribed them.   Nobody should have to watch someone they love waste away from pancreatic cancer.

Over 26,000 people have already joined our Transform Lives: Prescribe campaign, urging the NHS to implement targets to make sure PERT tablets are prescribed routinely.

Your readers can show their support for the campaign and help stop people with pancreatic cancer from starving at transformlives.pancreaticcancer.org.uk/

Diana Jupp

CEO of Pancreatic Cancer UK

‘Test to Release’: England’s frontline health and care staff can work rather than self-isolate

Frontline NHS and social care staff can attend work rather than self-isolate with testing mitigations in exceptional circumstances under updated guidance announced this morning.

From today (Monday 19 July), double vaccinated frontline NHS and social care staff in England who have been told to self-isolate will be permitted to attend work in exceptional circumstances and replaced by testing mitigations.

This will include staff who have been contacted as a close contact of a case of COVID-19 by NHS Test and Trace, or advised to self-isolate by the NHS Covid-19 app.

This measure is being introduced to alleviate pressure on NHS and social care services and will be contingent on staff members only working after having a negative PCR test and also taking daily negative lateral flow tests for a minimum of seven days, and up to 10 days or completion of the identified self-isolation period.

This measure is being introduced to alleviate pressure on NHS and social care services and will be contingent on staff members only working after having a negative PCR test and daily negative lateral flow tests.

The government is clear the change applies only to frontline NHS and social care staff where their absence may lead to a significant risk of harm.

The decision to allow NHS and social care staff to attend work after being told to self-isolate should be made on a case-by-case basis, and only after a risk assessment by the organisation’s management.

This must be authorised by the organisation’s local Director of Infection Prevention and Control, the lead professional for health protection, or the Director of Public Health relevant to the organisation.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “As we learn to live with this virus, it’s important that we ensure frontline staff can keep providing the best possible care and support to people up and down the country.

“The government has backed healthcare services at every turn through this global pandemic and these new rules will fortify our collective defences against this awful virus, by allowing fully vaccinated frontline NHS and social care staff to continue to work when needed.”

Careful consideration should be given by local NHS and social care organisations to the risk of onward transmission compared to the risk to delivery of critical services.

Staff who are permitted to attend work will remain under a legal duty to self-isolate as a close contact when not at work, but will be considered to have a ‘reasonable excuse’ under the Self-Isolation regulations to leave self-isolation to attend work where their absence could result in harm. They will continue to receive self-isolation reminders.

UK Health Security Agency Chief Executive, Jenny Harries, said: “With the number of cases continuing to rise, it is imperative that we do everything we can to manage this virus and support our NHS and social care services under the strain of increased demand and sustained pressure.

“We have provided specific guidance to NHS and social care settings for circumstances where there is a significant risk to health or safety resulting from staff absence or a critical service cannot run.

“This measure only applies to double vaccinated staff, who will only be able to attend work after testing negative on PCR and daily lateral flow tests, and following a risk assessment and the supervision of the health service.”

In order to mitigate the increased risk associated with attending work, the following mitigations must be implemented:

  • The staff member should be fully vaccinated, defined as having received both doses of an MHRA approved vaccination, with 14 days having elapsed since the final dose.
  • The staff member should undertake a PCR test and should self-isolate until they receive the result. They should only attend work if this result is negative.
  • They should undertake daily LFD tests prior to starting work each day. Test results should be reported to NHS Test and Trace via the web portal and to their duty manager. Any staff member who has a positive LFD test during this period should not attend work and should arrange a PCR test as soon as possible.
  • If the staff member develops any COVID symptoms, they should stay at home and immediately arrange a PCR test.
  • Staff working during this 10-day period should comply with all relevant infection control precautions and PPE should be properly worn throughout the day. Any breaches should be reported immediately to their line manager.
  • The staff member should not work with clinically extremely vulnerable patients or residents, as determined by the organisation.

Existing guidance will be updated by Public Health England today (Monday 19 July), and shared with NHS trusts and relevant social care organisations across England.

These changes apply in England only. The Scottish Government will announce any changes to exisiting arrangements, if necessary, in due course.

Biggest flu programme in history to roll out for winter 2021

Free seasonal flu vaccine to be made available for over 35 million people this year

  • Millions more people could benefit from a free flu vaccine this year, as the Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid announces the most comprehensive flu vaccination programme in UK history today
  • School programme expanded to provide flu vaccine to all secondary school pupils up to Year 11
  • Expanded programme follows record 19 million seasonal flu jabs administered in winter 2020

From September 2021, providers will offer the flu vaccine to over 35 million people during the upcoming winter season, including all secondary school students up to Year 11 for the first time. This builds on the success of last year’s expanded flu programme, which saw a record number of people get their jab.

Last year, 4 in 5 (80.9%) people aged 65 and over in England received their flu vaccine – exceeding the World Health Organization uptake ambition of 75%.

Working with the NHS, the government is preparing to deliver the expanded flu programme alongside any booster programme for COVID-19 vaccines as part of wider autumn and winter planning, which centres around protecting as many lives as possible.

During the 2021/22 season, which starts in September, the flu jab will be available to:

  • all children aged two and three on 31 August 2021
  • all children in primary school and all children in school Years 7 to 11 in secondary school
  • those aged six months to under 50 years in clinical risk groups
  • pregnant women
  • those aged 50 years and over
  • unpaid carers
  • close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
  • frontline health and adult social care staff

Health and Social Care Secretary, Sajid Javid, said: Flu can be a serious illness and we want to build a wall of protection by immunising a record number of people.

“With the nation getting closer to normal life, we must learn to live with COVID-19 alongside other viruses and we’re offering the free flu jab to millions more people to help keep them safe this winter.

“The phenomenal scale of the COVID-19 vaccination programme is a clear demonstration of the positive impact vaccination can make and I encourage all those eligible to get their flu jab when called forward.”

The enlarged flu drive will build on last year’s expanded flu programme, where flu vaccinations opened up to 50 to 64-year-olds and year 7 pupils for the first time, with the aim of offering protection to as many eligible people as possible.

For frontline healthcare workers and two and three-year olds, the highest ever recorded levels of flu vaccine uptake were also achieved last year. This year, all frontline health and social care workers will be offered the flu vaccination again to ensure they, and the people they care for, are protected.

Eligible groups are urged to get their free vaccine every year and to protect themselves and the most vulnerable people in society ahead of the winter.

As a result of non-pharmaceutical interventions in place for COVID-19 – such as mask-wearing, physical and social distancing, and restricted international travel – flu levels were lower than expected across the world in 2020/21.

It is possible there will be higher levels of flu this winter, with more of the population susceptible given the low levels last season. The flu vaccine offers the best available protection against the virus and the public can reduce the spread of flu and other winter bugs by regularly washing hands, throwing away used tissues and practising good hygiene.

Alongside this flu drive, the government is preparing for a booster programme of COVID-19 vaccines and the Joint Committee on Vaccination (JCVI) and Immunisation has published interim advice on who would be prioritised for a possible third vaccine from September 2021.

The booster programme – which would be designed to ensure millions of people most vulnerable to COVID-19 continue to have the protection they need ahead of the winter and against new variants – will be informed by the JCVI’s final advice expected later this summer based on the very latest scientific data.

The Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and Improvement, and Public Health England have today issued the 2021/22 annual flu letter to providers, setting out plans for this year’s expanded programme. This blueprint will ensure GP practices, pharmacies and school-based providers are mobilised to begin administering flu vaccines from September.

Dr Yvonne Doyle, Medical Director at Public Health England, said: “The flu vaccine is safe, effective and protects millions of people each year from what can be a devastating illness.

“Last winter, flu activity was extremely low, but this is no reason for complacency as it means less people have built up a defence against the virus. Combined with the likelihood that COVID-19 will still be circulating, this makes the coming flu season highly unpredictable.

“We will be preparing for a challenging winter by expanding our world-leading flu vaccination programme to over 35 million people, saving more lives and limiting the impact on the NHS and social care.”

Dr Nikita Kanani, NHS medical director for primary care, said: “NHS staff across England vaccinated record numbers of people against flu last year – a potentially fatal illness – and they continue to pull out all the stops to deliver the biggest and most successful NHS Covid-19 vaccination programme in health history, protecting their patients and communities.

“Getting your free flu vaccine if you are eligible as well as keeping up good habits like regularly washing your hands could help save your life, so please do come forward when you are invited to give you and your loved ones vital protection this winter.”

The childhood flu programme aims to protect children and contain the spread of the virus to babies and vulnerable adults they may be in contact with. The nasal spray vaccine is offered to 2 and 3-year-olds and children in primary school and Year 7 and, for the first time this year, secondary school aged children up to Year 11.

Another £12 million to health boards for emergency care

The Scottish Government has released £12 million in additional funding to health boards across Scotland to support non-COVID emergency care.

This immediate action will help put measures in place to reduce waiting times for urgent or emergency treatment, with a focus on boosting staffing levels and available beds.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “We are acutely aware that hospitals are facing significant challenges due to a rise in non-Covid attendances and that some health boards are taking necessary measures to protect urgent and emergency care capacity.

“This £12 million will support them to do so. We are working closely with those Health Boards experiencing the greatest challenges to ensure the funding delivers the improvements required.

“Our NHS staff continue to work tirelessly to respond to the pandemic whilst providing vital non-Covid treatment and safe patient care. Any reductions to service will be short term to ensure those of most critical need have immediate medical attention. Urgent treatment, including vital cancer treatment will continue during this challenging period.”

Chief Executive of NHS Lothian Calum Campbell said: “Hospitals across Scotland are dealing with the pandemic, while seeing an increase in non-covid patients arriving at their doors.

“We are grateful to the Scottish Government for working with us to ensure everyone who needs urgent or emergency care is prioritised – such as vital cancer treatment or accident and emergency care for life-threatening conditions.

“This funding will be vital in helping to provide extra staffing and bed capacity to further enhance improvements in unscheduled care and support delivery of the NHS Recovery Plan.

“NHS Lothian will use this funding to increase beds in the community, relieving pressures on acute hospitals, and to support staff in treating patients as quickly as possible.”

The public can do their part to help the NHS by considering options closer to home when they need medical attention.

Advice is available online at NHS Inform, or they can contact their GP practice or visit their local pharmacy who can help and prescribe treatment.

They can also call NHS 24 on 111 if they can’t wait for their GP practice to open, or they think they need emergency treatment which is not life-threatening.

New doctors take their oath after a final year like no other

Becoming a doctor takes years of dedication, studying and on-the-wards training. But for this year’s cohort of 293 newly qualified doctors, currently enjoying their virtual graduation events, their final years as students were massively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Some 56 of the students were based at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

Dr Diva Abdullah enjoyed a virtual graduation on Friday with her classmates from the University of Glasgow. It followed a separate ceremony where the newly qualified doctors recently took the Hippocratic oath from a lecture theatre. The 24-year-old from Brunei has been in Scotland for 3 years and working at hospitals across the country as part of her training.

“When the pandemic hit we were still 4th year students and all of a sudden we had to cancel our placements and there was a lot of uncertainty for everyone. We were out of the hospital for four-and-a-half months and into online learning.”

When the students were allowed back in clinical settings, they worked hard to catch up on the more practical elements of their studies.

Diva was posted to Glasgow Royal Infirmary’s Emergency Department, just as the second wave of COVID took hold.

She added: “We saw a lot of COVID patients coming in. I was in the department one day and there were about eight acute patients there presenting with shortness of breath, and that was quite a lot. However, I felt incredibly supported by the team and we worked hard to help people.”

One of the hardest things for Diva arriving in Glasgow was trying to understand the accent. “I was in a GP’s practice and I volunteered to take notes and I had no idea what was going on – but it quickly got better,” she added.

Diva is now moving to Aberdeen to do her foundation year as a newly qualified doctor. Eventually, she hopes to specialise in paediatrics, working in a children’s hospital. “I just want to help people, I like being able to make a difference to someone’s life,” she said.

Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and Hospital Sub Dean at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Miss Jane Madeley, said: They were part way through their penultimate year of training when COVID-19 impacted training.

“In comparison to last year’s graduates, who had completed enough of the course by March 2020 to be able to move forward and graduate, this year’s final year students were midway thought the clinical stage of training which consists of different placements in the hospital and GP setting where they learn the principles of medicine and surgery as well as other specialties.

“They were initially withdrawn from the hospitals in March 2020 and teaching moved on-line, whilst planning for them to be able to return was undertaken.

“This must have been a very difficult period, with the stress of uncertainty, isolation from peers that the lock-down enforced, and some returning overseas, with others remaining in Glasgow but unable to see family and friends.”

Jane thanked the staff at GRI for their support for the student and added: “We are extremely proud of all they have achieved and wish them every success in the future.

“We are sure a group able to flourish during this testing period will achieve amazing things moving forwards and we look forward to welcoming them as colleagues.”

Diva has enjoyed being a part of the NHS throughout a year like no other. She concluded: “Teamwork is what makes the NHS work, it feels like a small family where everyone is looking out for each other and their patients. That’s what is so important.”

Emergency! Key staff shortages are increasing the pressure on struggling ED workforce

Census by RCEM Scotland shows a shortage of key senior decision-making clinicians and a workforce below adequate staffing levels

A census of the Emergency Medicine workforce in Scotland by the Royal College of Emergency has found shortages of key senior decision-makers, and a workforce that is below adequate staffing levels to deliver the best and most effective care to patients.

When asked for immediate staffing needs, Emergency Departments across Scotland reported they needed an increase of:

  • 25% in consultants
  • 45% in Advanced Clinical Practitioners/Advanced Nursing Practitioners/Physician Associates
  • 16% in Emergency Nurse Practitioners
  • 22% in Higher Specialist Trainees/Non-consultant Senior Decision-Makers
  • 21% in Junior Doctors

RCEM analysis shows that to resolve the shortages of senior decision-makers and to achieve adequate staffing and aspirational staffing levels by 2026 the current workforce in Scotland needs a total of 405 more health care staff broken down as:

  • 113 more consultants
  • 74 more Higher Specialist Trainees/Non-consultant Senior Decision-Makers
  • 38 more Advanced Clinical Practitioners/Advanced Nursing Practitioners/Physician Associates
  • 180 more Junior Doctors

RCEM’s Scotland workforce census consisted of a 64-question survey and was sent to Emergency Department Clinical Leads across Scotland.

Responses were received from 24 Emergency Departments, including all 20 consultant-led Emergency Departments, one Minor Injury Unit, and three Remote and Rural Hospitals.

Commenting on RCEM’s Scotland workforce census, Dr John Thomson, Vice President (Scotland) of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: “The census clearly shows that the Emergency Medicine workforce in Scotland is not adequately staffed to deliver the highest quality patient care.

“This has led to an increase in intense pressures on the existing workforce and is very likely to be a contributing factor to the continued deterioration in performance.

“We have always been proud of Scotland’s performance in Emergency Medicine, ensuring quick and effective care that outperformed the rest of the United Kingdom. But, even before the pandemic, the increase in demand put severe pressure on staff, and departments began to struggle to meet the four-hour access standard, but more seriously began to struggle to deliver appropriate treatment to patients, resulting in more delays and longer stays.

“The pandemic certainly exacerbated these issues and now there are some major challenges that face Emergency Medicine in Scotland. Emergency Medicine can be relentless; a service delivered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, will always take its toll, and the pandemic has highlighted the severe burnout that Emergency Medicine staff, especially face.

“Departments must be staffed with a workforce trained and qualified in Emergency Medicine. Shortages in senior decision-making staff groups can lead to Emergency Departments over-depending on junior staff. The census shows that we need considerable expansion of funded consultant and senior decision-maker posts in order to prioritise patient safety and quality of care.

“We managed to survive the first two waves of pandemic with an insufficient workforce, but now these existing staff are facing burnout and exhaustion – with some clinicians reporting they are planning on retiring early. This census clearly shows that we must act and address these problems without delay.

“The Scottish Government must work with the specialty to devise an adequate workforce plan for the emergency care system, taking into account population needs and rising demand on the service. Plans must ensure sustainable and fulfilling careers for all staff, allowing for the delivery of quick, safe, and effective care for patients.

“Without a sufficient workforce plan that addresses the findings of the census, it is likely that there will be continued deterioration in Emergency Department performance and rates of burnout will continue to increase amongst Emergency Medicine staff.”