NHS staff mental health status in the active phase of the COVID-19 era: a staff survey in a large London hospital

Abstract

Background: Experiencing a pandemic can be very unsettling and may have a negative impact on the mental health of frontline healthcare workers (HCWs). This may have serious consequences for the overall well-being of HCWs, which in turn may adversely affect patient safety and the productivity of the institution.

Aims: We designed a study to assess the prevalence of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), depression and work-related stress experienced by the National Health Service staff in a large tertiary London hospital treating patients with COVID-19 during the current active phase of the COVID-19 era.

Methods: An anonymous survey was designed with demographic data and three questionnaires. The Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 were used to assess anxiety and depression, respectively. The Health and Safety Executive Management Standards Indicator Tool was used to assess work-related stress. Staff from multiple specialties embracing cardiothoracic surgery, cardiology, respiratory medicine, endocrinology, oncology, imaging, anaesthesia and intensive care at our hospital were asked to complete the questionnaire between 25 May and 15 June 2020.

Results: A total of 302 staff members (106 males and 196 females) completed the survey. The overall prevalence of GAD and depression was 41.4% and 42.7%, respectively. The prevalence of GAD and depression was significantly higher in females than in males and was statistically significant. Nurses were four times more likely to report moderate to severe levels of anxiety and depression as compared with doctors. Work-related stress was also observed to be prevalent in our surveyed population with the following standards: relationships, role, control and change showing a need for improvement.

Conclusions: Our study presents early evidence suggestive of a high prevalence of GAD, depression and work-related stress in HCWs. It is imperative that coherent strategies are implemented to improve the healthcare work environment during this pandemic and mitigate further injury to the mental health status of the healthcare population.

Keywords: anxiety; depression; mental health; post-traumatic; stress disorders.

Figure 1

Flowchart for enrolment in the study.

Figure 2

Summary of results for management standards as surveyed by the HSE-MS IT. HSE-MS IT, Health and Safety Executive Management Standards Indicator Tool.

Figure 3

Health and safety executive average scores stratified by place of work. HSE-MS IT, Health and Safety Executive Management Standards Indicator Tool; ITU, intensive therapy unit. Range of averages for each management standard subgroup as compared with benchmark data; ‘organisational averages’ of 136 institutions surveyed by HSE-MS IT. Top arrow denotes 80^th percentile and above, while bottom arrow denotes 20^th percentile and below.