Like any employer in the UK, the NHS has a duty of care to its employees. Lack of procedure, lack of training, and improper health and safety risk assessments are all minefields for possible negligence. If NHS trust negligence has impacted you or an NHS staff member close to you, here are a few things to consider for NHS medical accident claims.
NHS Staffing Issue
The NHS isn’t what is once was, with 43% of people last being less than satisfied with the service according to a recent survey by social research agency, NetGen. The agency found dissatisfaction is at its highest level in a decade, though few blame internal mismanagement as reduced government funding has severely restricted resources and staffing levels.
NHS staff have been struggling under an increasing burden, as workforces are condensed and practices changed under cost-saving measures. Often, inevitable corners are cut and something goes wrong.
NHS Cuts…Corners?
Accident victims who have lived with reduced income as a result of injury will know all too well that when finances are insufficient to be sustaining, something’s got to give.
Reduced NHS funding is reported to have resulted in an increase in the ratio of inexperienced team members. Less experienced (i.e. cheaper) staff often outnumber the well-trained, which can make teams less effective – and in many cases, less protected. Many busy wards require effectively trained and experienced staff to carefully and tactfully manage its patients, with well-practiced planned restraint formations being the norm if necessary for the safety of patients or staff.
Management of medication also requires a high level of communication and supervision within a team in order to avoid human error and manage insistent patients.
When staffing levels fall below those required to maintain a good level of communication and supervision, accidents can happen.
Some Typical Injuries Include:
- Slipping on wet floors
- Tripping on items left on the floor (such as on busy wards or canteens)
- Muscular injuries from lifting heavy burdens without proper training or procedures
- Injuries resulting from lifting and assisting patients
- Injuries caused by faulty equipment
The Stress Burden on NHS Staff
Psychological injury, or injury as a result of a fellow staff member’s mismanaged stress, is also a very real and valid case for concern. NHS employees often find themselves in intense and stressful environments, with both patients and staff feeling they’re being let down or not heard. Sometimes this leads them to take out their frustrations abusively.
This is particularly true in the case of NHS facilities where services of several towns and cities are being combined in newly built but untested regional facilities.
While accidents do happen, your financial commitments don’t wait for your recovery. The reduced income and snowball effect of injury can have serious long-term repercussions for the victim.
Any NHS employee can claim, whether temping, on zero-hours contracts, or working through an agency. If you’d like to explore your options further, our compensation experts are available to advise you, and our no win no fee policy ensures that it can’t hurt to find out. Get in touch on 01772 562084 to learn more.