COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the economy, mental health, healthcare, and employment. Key workers such as nurses, who have suffered greatly during the pandemic continue to face daily challenges. This includes those working in hospitals, GP surgeries and test centres. Nurses are on the front lines and are responsible for delivering the highest quality of care for all sorts of patients, whether in everyday routine or during crises. Nurses continue to play an important role in the healthcare system since they account for the bulk of healthcare practitioners. Their responsibilities in treating COVID-19 patients include:
- Triaging patients and detecting suspected infection cases
- Providing life-saving treatment in an emergency
- Assisting in decontamination and coordination with other healthcare providers
- Providing holistic nursing practices in managing multiple infections simultaneously
- Playing crucial roles in expanding care services
- Dealing with relatives
Here are some of the workplace challenges faced by nurses at PCR test centres:
Financial Issues
Many nurses at test centres have found it difficult to manage their finances with the uncertainty that lies with possible job loss, salary cutbacks, and departmental investigations.
However, as plans to scrap free PCR testing in England are in place, there continues to be an increase in demand for paid PCR tests in Croydon due to travellers planning spring and summer trips as travel guidance eases. This could bring some challenges for test centres with such high demands throughout the UK.
Perceived Managerial Ineffectiveness
Any discussion regarding healthcare delivery or the remodelling of practices must involve the workforce. Administrative managers and senior management must identify educated and skilled labour, assure equitable deployment, and focus on healthcare worker motivation and morale in order to promote a holistic healthcare system. In reality, however, there is a gap that is frequently regarded as management incompetence and ineffectiveness.
Inconsistent Guidelines
Healthcare guidelines have become important in the context of concerns about standard protocols and their implementation by healthcare systems/personnel. Many challenges and concerns about the quality of healthcare services have been expressed. Changing attitudes, mindsets, public expectations, and underlying economic, technical, demographic, and social trends necessitate greater accountability and transparency.
Perceived Occupational Stress
One of the possible sources of worry for nurses is occupational stress. Traditionally, it diminishes job satisfaction and causes absence, worry, melancholy, and insomnia. It can also show signs of anxiety and depression which can then impact medical blunders and misses. With the growing demand for paid PCR tests in England on the rise due to travellers, this has the ability to bring on more stress and high-demanding work environments.
Conclusion
Despite coronavirus rules and guidance being slowly eased within the UK, especially England, there is still growing concern regarding the long-term effects the pandemic has on key workers such as nurses. With a job title that covers multiple responsibilities and bases, this has not stopped during the crisis. Especially with PCR test centres that are one of the most demanded services throughout the UK, staff are needed urgently to carry out the service to brits and travellers. The pandemic continues to have ever-lasting effects on our healthcare system, and especially the mental health and wellbeing of our key workers.
