Staff raise safety concerns at 'dysfunctional' Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical staff working in the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) have raised serious concerns around patient and staff safety.

A recent survey of mental health nurses and practitioners conducted by GMB Union found that 90 per cent of respondents reported unsafe staffing levels.

Some staff reported themselves or colleagues experiencing increased pressure and even burnout as a result of understaffing.

GMB members also described a reluctance by management to address safety concerns or improve staff welfare, with leadership failing to engage with staff or their union.

NSFT is ranked 50th out of 58 in NHS England’s community and mental health providers league table, with the lowest possible rating for patient safety.

A GMB member working in the Trust said:

“I am concerned more for patient safety at this stage in the CMHT (Community Mental Health Team).

“We are very short staffed due to sickness and staff resigning and not being replaced.”

Ashley Foster, GMB Regional Organiser, said:

“Our members are deeply committed to their jobs and their priority is the wellbeing and safety of their patients, who are often vulnerable.

“They work extremely hard to deliver the best possible care, but they are telling us that low staffing levels and management failure risk compromising patient safety.

“As NHS England’s data shows, the Trust is dysfunctional and its management is failing both staff and patients.

“We want the Trust’s leadership to know GMB’s door is always open for collaborative working to improve situation, they just need to knock.”