Recognising the vital role of nurses and the importance of their wellbeing in the NHS
This year’s International Nurses Day on 12th May focuses on the wellbeing of nurses, a profession which forms the bedrock of health services worldwide. In this article, Multitone Electronics celebrates the nursing profession’s key role in our NHS, by highlighting the crucial importance of ensuring the well-being of nurses.
Nurses: The foundation of our health system
Today, there are nearly 750,000 registered nurses working in the UK, providing treatment, care, advice and support to hundreds and thousands of patients. Nurses work in a wide range of locations; in GP surgeries, public and private hospitals, Occupational Health, schools etc. Without nurses, the very fabric of our healthcare system would unravel, leaving countless individuals without essential medical attention and the compassionate support that accompanies it. Supporting the wellbeing of nurses is not an optional add-on; it’s essential. Nurses who feel valued as well as supported are central to better patient care and a healthy workforce.
What impacts the wellbeing of the profession?
First, let’s understand the pressures nurses face in today’s world. A 2024 research report by the National Institute for Health & Care Research reveals that nurses, midwives, and paramedics comprise over 56% of all clinical staff in the NHS and experience some of the highest rates of psychological ill-health.
The research indicated that it is not nursing itself which elevates the risk of psychological ill-health, but factors within the job and the workplace. Those exposed to trauma, new recruits, and lone workers are particularly vulnerable. Systemic issues like fragmented well-being approaches, blame cultures, and the prioritisation of other needs over staff well-being create significant barriers to promoting psychological wellness among all healthcare professionals.
At Multitone, we have a unique insight into the pressures faced by nurses and healthcare professionals through our day-to-day work providing various critical communication solutions for them. Witnessing this drives us to keep improving what we do.
Supporting the wellbeing of nurses and other healthcare professionals
NHS England has developed a variety of policies, self-assessment tools and resources to strengthen the wellbeing and resilience of nurses, underpinned by the NHS Long Term Plan.
As patients, we can play our part too by showing our appreciation for their tireless work, being patient and understanding in healthcare settings, and advocating for policies that prioritise their well-being.
Multitone Electronics’ solutions
At Multitone, in researching how to improve our critical communications systems, we continually investigate staff safety, including lone workers, nurses working in assisted living, care and healthcare facilities, on hospital wards and in many other environments. If you wish to find out more about these solutions including EkoTek Staff Safety, EkoTek Nurse Call Solution, Multitone Appear and Multitone Nucleus™, visit our website.
