Sam Foster

COVID vaccines: then and now

Reflecting on the trainee nurse associate role uptake and impact

‘We've got some areas in the region where [trainee NAs] have really taken off … and then there's other areas in the region where there seems to be a real reluctance…’ .

Tackling workplace violence

Patient safety incident framework will ensure affected staff are not overlooked

On reflecting on what can be done, one can't help but feel that the way in which the NHS has traditionally managed patient safety incidents has not systematically supported the staff involved..

Overseas recruitment

Creating a safe space to speak up

‘A shared belief amongst individuals as to whether it is safe to engage in interpersonal risk taking in the workplace.’ .

An intervention for nurse wellbeing

We need a clear strategy on vaccination

This month, Ford (2021) reported that the Royal College of Nursing had written to a hospital trust expressing concerns about its decision to redeploy nurses who declined the COVID-19 vaccine to...

Meeting patients' mental health needs

‘Although mental health first aid has its place, this does not equip registrants who are caring for patients for extended periods’ .

NHS trusts must continue to tackle racism

Sam Roger, NHS England and NHS improvement strategy and policy lead for the WRES (Roger, 2020), set out four key lessons to help make improvements:.

Let's get the work–life balance right

Since January 2021, all jobs within NHS England and NHS Improvement are advertised as flexible, with all former staff encouraged to return with the promise of a better working pattern..

Understanding safety culture

‘Staff know that what they do carries risk, but the culture in which they work is one that views itself as essentially safe, where errors are considered exceptional, and where rigid hierarchical...

Can we reduce the risk of burnout?

‘The danger is that we do not see it. It is like the pattern on the wallpaper that we no longer see, but it is the number one predictor of staff stress and staff intention to quit. It is also the...

It's time to change the way we work

‘There is an opportunity for the NHS to learn from how other large organisations have developed systematic approaches to the options available to staff’ .

A question of identity

‘The lyrics to Janet Jackson's song, Nasty, includes this line, “No, my first name ain't baby, it's Janet. Ms. Jackson if you're nasty.” Miss Jackson doesn't like being called, “baby,” and neither...