Operating theatres
about this openly, take proper precautions, highlight the risks and/or provide adequate support? We also know that operating theatre teams are often expected to stay after hours to finish all active lists – sometimes being shouted at or forced to stay due to a lack of replacement staff. This can influence physical health problems, such as high BMI, high blood pressure, UTI due to lack of fluids intake, dehydration, migraines, heart problems and, of course, depression, anxiety and sleep deprivation. Operating theatre teams should not simply look at meeting targets, but also take charge of mental health by supporting each other. We also need to explore: why do operating
theatre teams take time off sick but fail to seek proper assistance to improve their mental health and well-being. Operating theatre teams are exposed to excessive pressures daily; even the most experienced team members – such as surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and healthcare staff – need someone to talk about feelings and emotions that are a part of the job. The pressure that increased during the pandemic created losses in the workforce and, after redeployment, staff did not come back to their original duties and workplaces. Losing experienced members of the team has created a hole that will take years to rebuild. In the wake of the pandemic, wellbeing is more talked about, but it is not necessarily acted on. Noticing the problem is the first step, but
acting to fix the problem is a journey for all operating theatre teams. They need to create a safe working environment – without bullying, stress and pressure. Too often, personnel prefer
to take sick leave, stay at home and relax with family than ask for proper assistance with a wellbeing service. Ultimately, discussion of wellbeing and mental health is perceived as weakness, but we need to consider that we are humans with feelings, emotions and families that are waiting at home. The operating theatre team can make changes by communicating better and understanding the multicultural community that is responsible for all NHS patient safety.
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About the author
Dorota Maria Bilan is a Polish Registered Nurse and has lived in the UK for over 18 years. She has extensive experience in a variety of specialties including operating theatres, ITU, A&E, private healthcare, and nursing home care. Her current practice is within operating theatres, but in addition to her work as a scrub nurse, she is also currently undertaking an MSc degree.
gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/1172159/Monitor- annual-report-and-accounts-2022-2023-web- accessible.pdf
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CSJ
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