According to new research, many NHS employees have been looking for jobs outside the NHS.
Researchers found that almost half of all respondents (47%) had looked at jobs outside the National Health Service (NHS), with nearly a third (29%) actively seeking out such possibilities.
Between March and June of 2023, around 14% of people looked for jobs outside of the NHS, according to academics from the University of Bath.
Studies have shown that personnel turnover within the NHS is mainly caused by stress, pressure, personnel shortages, and remuneration.
Researchers were worried about burnout as over half of NHS employees (47%) said they often felt exhausted.
Specialists have been monitoring NHS staff opinions for the last four years, and they’ve seen a decrease in job satisfaction ratings. Starting in 2020, a series of surveys was administered to staff members.
Using YouGov, researchers polled almost 1,500 English staff members in the most current study.
Compared to 61% in winter 2020/21, 37% of surveyed workers in spring 2023 were likely to suggest working for the NHS. This is a considerable drop.
Among registered nurses, only 26% said they would suggest a career in healthcare to others.
Leading researcher Dr. Andrew Weyman voiced his alarm at the growing number of complaints about insufficient resources, mental health issues, signs of burnout, and a general lack of faith in the ability to improve working conditions. All of these things, plus the fact that employees are unhappy with their salaries and there is evidence that their dedication to the NHS is dwindling, are quite concerning.
They explain why fewer people are saying they would suggest working for the NHS to others, which is a worrying trend.
The health service unveiled its first Long-Term Workforce Plan last year, with the goals of increasing headcount and enhancing employee retention.
