17% of East of England Ambulance staff are forced off work due to stress, figures reveal

FIGURES have revealed almost one in five members of staff at the region’s ambulance service have been forced off work due to stress.

The figure equates to 17per cent of all staff at the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust being signed off work, a 7per cent increase in the past five years.

The service has committed to supporting staff by hiring qualified counsellors to provide treatment, ensuring the management team refers employees to a programme which provides psychological support, as well as committing to delivering a strategic transformation programme.

The figures were revealed in a Freedom of Information request by the BBC, and come a month after the service was ordered to pay a sacked worker £96,000 in compensation.

A spokesman for the service said: “Awareness of mental health has increased and there has been a drive to get people talking and being open about when they are having difficulty.

“More people are being trained in spotting the signs, knowing what to look out for in themselves and others, and when to do something about it.

“Without stigma staff are able to openly discuss difficulties which means they are not needing to hide behind other sickness reasons.

“And we are all more careful about recording data accurately too.

“Following our signing of Mind’s Blue Light programme pledge over three years ago, we have worked hard to rid the trust of any stigma surrounding mental health.”

A new board chairwoman has been appointed with Nicola Scrivings succeeding interim chairman Nigel Beverley.

She is joining from Cambridgeshire Community Service NHS trust where she has been chairman for four years and has previously spent more than 20 years with the Royal Mail.

Ms Scrivings’ role will oversee the ambulance service’s consultation on new corporate strategy for providing high quality patient care over the next five years including appointing a chief executive officer.

She said: “I have already met many enthusiastic and committed colleagues who are absolutely focused on providing excellent care for people who need our support.

“I will make it my priority to spend time out and about, hearing directly from staff and volunteers on their thoughts on the challenges and priorities facing the trust.”