Three-quarters of healthcare workers regularly consider leaving their role, and 67 per cent are \u201cactively\u201d considering leaving, new research has found.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, F\u00f3rsa<\/a> published a study conducted by think tank Tasc<\/a>, which highlights what it describes as a \u201cgrowing retention crisis\u201d in the healthcare sector.<\/p>\n The research surveyed 3,775 F\u00f3rsa members across the HSE<\/a>, Tusla<\/a>, and voluntary organisations, in addition to nationwide focus groups. <\/p>\n Almost half of respondents reported feeling \u201coften\u201d or \u201calways\u201d burnt out, while 68 per cent said they experienced illness due to work-related stress. Focus groups attributed these feelings to staffing levels, which they described as inadequate.<\/p>\n Some participants in the study said they felt like they were \u201cshouting into a void\u201d and were not heard.<\/p>\n The research found workers felt undervalued, with 54 per cent saying they were dissatisfied with the recognition they received for work.<\/p>\n Most workers (78 per cent) strongly believe staffing levels are far below what is required to deliver the promised shift to universal, community-based care. More than half say they do not feel supported or confident in delivering the changes demanded.<\/p>\n The report suggests retention issues in the sector are \u201cnegatively affecting service provision\u201d, with participants reporting that newly established local network areas already beginning to cut services in some areas due to insufficient staff cover. <\/p>\n [\u00a0Private healthcare providers \u2018could face staffing shortages amid widening pay gap\u2019Opens in new window<\/a>\u00a0]<\/p>\n \u201cIn areas where the service has been preserved, workers reported having to cover a larger caseload across a wider geographical area, leaving them feeling even more overstretched,\u201d the report said.<\/p>\n