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Strain on NHS takes its toll on staff

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The government's handling of the health service is leaving staff facing soaring stress levels, the union UNISON has said. The union was commenting on the publication this week of the official NHS Staff Survey findings for 2011 - and warned its own research had revealed the problem could be considerably worse. 'The NHS staff survey reveals the increased levels of stress being heaped on staff by a combination of government cuts, the Health and Social Care Bill and the continuing pay freeze,' said Christina McAnea, UNISON head of health. 'The staff survey reflects some of the pressures felt by staff, but our own survey painted a much bleaker picture. UNISON's survey showed that 85 per cent experienced an increase in workload and 83 per cent suffered an increase in stress over the past year. The increase in workload is not a coincidence, it is down to cuts in staffing and to a lack of cover for staff on sick or on leave. And it is not just staff who suffer - the increase in workload and stress is felt by patients and by workers' families.' Patient frustration could be directed at staff, the union believed. 'Violence and harassment should have no place in our NHS and it is a disgrace that nurses, paramedics and other NHS staff should be threatened going about their work trying to help the sick and injured. It is time that a clear message was sent to those members of the public that attack NHS workers, they will be prosecuted and if found guilty they should receive tough sentences.'

UNISON news release. NHS Staff Survey news release and National NHS Staff Survey Coordination Centre and NHS Information Centre. BBC News Online.

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