References
Contemporary portrait of the working lives of ambulance services staff in Wales
Abstract
Background:
Ambulance services staff are under more pressure than ever. Inadequate numbers face unmanageable workloads. For the first time in more than three decades, these employees in England and Wales have taken industrial action over wages and working conditions.
Aims:
This study aimed to understand the wellbeing and working environment of ambulance services staff in Wales.
Methods:
An online survey of 594 ambulance services staff was carried out. Data were analysed using standard quantitative and qualitative research methods.
Findings:
Key factors impacting wellbeing include work intensification, burnout and a lack of trust in management, which were increasing intentions to leave the profession.
Conclusion:
Ambulance services in Wales are reaching a critical tipping point. If the issues raised in this study are not addressed, the outcome will most likely be an accelerating departure from the profession of highly skilled people who are expensive and difficult to replace.
The professionalism of ambulance services staff has been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic (Awais et al, 2021; Petrie et al, 2022). Nonetheless, inadequate numbers of staff, unmanageable workloads, unrealistic expectations, burnout and moral distress have been compounded by the effects of COVID-19 (Iacobucci, 2021; NHS Confederation, 2021).
Since December 2022, ambulance services staff in England and Wales have taken industrial action for the first time since 1989. The strikes form part of a wave of industrial unrest across a number of sectors in the UK over wages, pensions and working conditions as the cost of living rises. In this context, it is therefore important to focus on the wellbeing and working environment of this vulnerable yet indispensable, group of healthcare workers.
Throughout the past decade, NHS ambulance services have seen significant reductions in their budgets, which have impacted their responses and service delivery (NHS Providers, 2020). As a consequence, they are struggling to meet performance targets.
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