Care workers facing high levels of stress - report

Care staff are facing high levels of stress, emotional fatigue, and unmanageable workloads, according to a report by an independent health watchdog.

Healthwatch Cornwall's based its report on the views of 175 care workers, 25 providers and managers in the county.

It said the findings presented a picture of an adult social care workforce in Cornwall that is "deeply committed, highly experienced, and motivated by strong values, but also operating under conditions of increasing strain".

Cornwall Council said the "independent care sector is under real pressure, with many of the challenges it faces shaped by national funding arrangements and wider issues outside the council's direct control".

The report suggested pressures affecting the sector are shaped by structural issues around pay, funding, recruitment, policy change, and increasing service demand.

It concluded: "The findings suggest that ongoing workforce pressures could have significant implications for the quality, continuity, and safety of care in Cornwall.

"While their commitment currently fills the gaps, this level of reliance on staff resilience raises questions about long-term sustainability."

It added: "This could lead to more rushed care, reduced continuity, and a decline in the relational aspects of care that workers identify as central to good outcomes both for themselves and those they care for."

The report presented six recommendations to commissioners, sector partners and providers, with suggestions on how progress can be made:

• Address the structural causes of workforce stress and burnout
• Ensure workforce strategies reflect real cost pressures
• Align workforce planning and training with increasing complexity of care needs
• Demonstrate progress on the workforce pipeline commitments already made, with particular attention to younger workers
• Strengthen communication channels to the frontline workforce on policy and system changes
• Continue strengthening system co-ordination

Debbie Gilbert, CEO of Healthwatch Cornwall, said: "Whilst survey responses represent approximately 1.25% of Cornwall's adult social care workforce, we found a striking consistency of themes across surveys, focus groups, interviews and Enter and View observations.

"As an independent body, we believe all voices should be heard when considering the future of adult social care in Cornwall and this research provides important insight.

"Cornwall Council has recently received a Good CQC assessment, and this report does not seek to undermine that achievement.

"On the contrary, our research recognises the commitment and resilience already demonstrated across Cornwall's care sector and aims to support ongoing improvement by ensuring workforce experiences contribute to future planning."

In response the council said "locally we are making progress".

It's statement said: "We are taking forward the actions in our adult social care workforce strategy and working closely with partners across Cornwall's health and care system to support improvement wherever we can.

"Most importantly, we know how vital the care workforce is. These are the people supporting some of Cornwall's most vulnerable residents every day, and we do not take that for granted.

"Attracting more people into care, and helping experienced staff stay in the sector, remains one of our highest priorities - our continued investment in Proud to Care Cornwall is a key part of that work."

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