Health and Social Care Workforce Research Study

Examining the health and social care workers' mental well-being and quality of working life during and post- COVID-19

OUR SIXTH PHASE REPORT AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ARE PUBLISHED IN OUR REPORTS AND PUBLICATIONS SECTION

Our Research

The Health and Social Care Workforce Research Study was designed to examine the impact of providing health and social care during COVID-19 on the well-being and quality of working life of the health and social care workforce in the UK. The target occupational groups for this research are nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, social care workers and social workers.

The existing evidence in relation to how the above occupational groups deal with the challenges of caring for patients and service users, while potentially putting their own health and lives at risk, is limited. We all know that the UK health and social care system was struggling to cope with the demands even prior to the pandemic. The added burden of COVID-19 could only have made things worse. It is for this reason that we are conducting the current research.

Our aim is to explore the perspectives of nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, social care workers and social workers in relation to the challenges they are facing whilst working in health and social care during and post- COVID-19. We are focusing primarily on the mental well being, the quality of working life, and burnout of these occupational groups, exploring what coping strategies and employer supports have worked or not worked for them and what could be improved.

The results stemming from 6 Phases of this research enabled us design good practice recommendations for managers, employers and regulators on how to best support their workforce, both during the pandemic, as well as the business as usual times.

“The daily "Rock around the pond" that takes place every day gets everybody moving and it has boosted the staff morale no end. The service users spectate from balconies and Windows or participate by dancing round the ponds edge. Party favourites are YMCA Music man and Agadoo. We even performed the social distancing Conga. Absolutely outstanding. I feel that the daily briefings/meetings straight after the party are brilliant. All information and updates are passed over and in full to all staff. It allows everyone to take it all in and support each other through this.”

(Social Care Worker)