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A former nurse at the Children’s Cancer Unit in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children has spoken out about the challenges and staffing issues she faced during her time there, which eventually led her to resign. Hannah Farrell, who left the unit in 2019, expressed feelings of being broken, disillusioned, and burnt out due to the lack of support and management’s failure to address staffing concerns. Parents of sick children and former staff members have also raised concerns about the high number of specialist nurses currently off work, impacting the quality of care provided.
The Belfast Health Trust highlighted significant investment and development in the unit’s services over the past decade, including an increase in nursing roles and specialist training. However, Ms. Farrell and others have pointed out persistent issues with backfilling staff on maternity leave, long-term sickness, and career breaks, leading to inadequate staffing levels and increased pressure on existing nurses. The trust acknowledged the hard work of the nursing staff but failed to address the underlying problems causing staff shortages and impacting patient care.
During her time as a nurse at the unit, Ms. Farrell witnessed the challenges of treating critically ill children and the emotional toll it took on both patients and staff. Despite the demanding nature of the work, she highlighted the lack of support for nurses struggling with the emotional burden of their roles, emphasizing the need for better mental health resources and counseling services. The nursing staff’s dedication and commitment were evident, but the systemic issues within the unit continued to impact their ability to provide optimal care.
Parents of children treated at the Children’s Cancer Unit shared their observations of nurses being overworked and understaffed, compromising the quality of care provided. Despite the clinical service being world-class, persistent staff shortages have put a strain on the nurses, leading to concerns about patient safety and the overall functioning of the unit. Calls for better support, staffing, and resources have been made to ensure that both patients and staff receive the necessary care and attention required in such a critical healthcare setting
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