The decision to leave the NHS is influenced by race, age and mental state

According to a Lancet study, NHS workers with poor mental health who are older than 50, or from minorities ethnic backgrounds are more likely to consider leaving the service.

Researchers from the National Institute for Health and Care Research, the NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre and University College London and University of Glasgow conducted the UKREACH ICARE study to examine the factors that drive people to leave NHS.

Almost half of those surveyed, or 3,300 NHS employees, had either considered leaving the healthcare industry or already begun to do so.

The most likely to say they planned to leave were those aged 50-60, Asians, and in the dental and nursing fields. A clear link was found between poor mental wellbeing and the desire to leave.

The report concluded that “the profound association between poor health and the intention to leave NHS staff suggests that effective treatment of mental health for staff could improve their retention along with their health.”

Our results suggest that encouraging a higher level of workplace engagement through supportive and collaborative environments, opportunities for personal growth, and organisational changes designed to minimize burnout could also increase retention.

Professor Manish Peek, one of the leading researchers from the University of Leicester said: “What’s most alarming is that almost half of the healthcare workers we interviewed had either considered or taken action to leave healthcare.

We also found that the planning of leaving was associated with discrimination and harassment from colleagues and patients.

Researchers suggested that policies that address discrimination could help reduce inequity, and improve retention.

The government undervalues staff who feel this way. They are also more likely than others to consider leaving. According to recent statistics from the Royal College of Nursing, the number of nurses leaving their jobs within the first five years has increased by 67%.

Katherine Woolf Professor of Medical Education Research, UCL Medical School added that “good patient care depends on a healthcare system that is adequately staffed. The NHS is the UK’s largest and most diverse employers.

The findings of I-CARE suggest that the NHS should implement policies to more effectively combat workplace discrimination and provide mental health support.

“Supportive, collaborative environments and personal development opportunities could also have a positive effect.”

Health secretary Wes Streeting has launched a new platform online, Change.nhs.uk. The platform asks for public opinion, clinicians, and other experts in the health services to provide suggestions on how the NHS can be improved.

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