INCREASING numbers of nurses are being driven to thoughts of suicide through pressures at work, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) union has warned.
In a new report published today, the RCN cited workload, bullying and harassment and a lack of work-life balance as being among the “extreme pressures” driving suicidal thoughts.
The union is demanding NHS bosses reduce work pressures on nurses, and called on them to “create compassionate workplaces as the bedrock of quality care.”
The report, which the RCN said was the first of its kind in Britain, said that in the first six months of 2024 an advice line it established saw a 29 per cent increase in the number of callers with suicidal ideas compared with the previous six months.
When compared to the first six months of last year, the increase was 76 per cent.
The RCN said two-thirds of callers mentioned the workplace as a key factor in their ideas of suicide.
RCN general secretary and chief executive Professor Nicola Ranger said: “It’s becoming increasingly clear that workplace pressures are contributing to a rise in suicidal thoughts among nursing staff.
“This is a very serious issue that requires the full attention of ministers and employers.
“Happy and healthy workplaces are the bedrock of quality care, and we desperately need a national set of standards across all health and care settings in the UK.
“These must be built around compassion and prevention and encourage staff to seek support, ensuring mental health interventions are effective and timely.”
The RCN is also collaborating in a “groundbreaking” pilot project with Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust in London to investigate the issues and the measures needed to deal with them.
The trust covers the London Boroughs of Bromley, Greenwich and Bexley.
Professor Ranger added: “Together we will review staff experiences and explore how changes to workplace culture can improve staff mental health.
“The scheme will help pave the way for UK-wide standards in health and care.”
Rachel Evans, at Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We have big plans for the future and are delighted to be part of the RCN Compassion in Practice pilot.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “These figures show a clearly worrying trend - one which we are committed to reversing as we fix our broken NHS while reducing chronic workforce pressures and shortages.
“NHS staff deserve quick and timely access to services and support, which is why NHS England is currently reviewing mental health services for all staff to ensure they receive the right support where needed.”
