Over 300 NHS Nurses Have Taken Their Own Lives In Seven Years

Shocking figures have shown that over 300 nurses have killed themselves in seven years.

According to the Office for National Statistics, 304 nurses who work for the NHS took their own life between 2011 and 2017.

During the worst year in 2014, it can be seen that one nurse was a victim every single week.

PA

The figures show that for female health professionals, the risk was 24 per cent greater than the national average for females - that huge increase is explained mainly by the high numbers of suicide among female nurses.

This contrasts to a fairly low risk of suicide for male health professionals, which the study shows them as 16 per cent below the national average.

Although there are many complicated reasons behind the numbers, some of it can be put down to a few main issues that workers within the NHS and other health professionals come across.

PA

The stresses of the job and the nature dealing with traumatic events regularly with very little support is one of the main reasons that nurses develop mental health problems.

Another point stated in the report is around people who work within the healthcare industry having more information around methods of suicide, as well as better access to drugs.

One of the biggest strains on the life of nurses and healthcare professionals is the wages. An Irish nurse's wage slip recently went viral when she shared it on social media.

As a nurse near the top end of the pay scale, Joanna Hickey's pay came out at just over £1000 for a fortnight, and the reality of what the people who look after us earn shocked the internet.

The Royal College of Nursing, the world's largest nursing union, has stated that conditions are only getting worse for workers.

Dame Kinnair said: "The Government and all NHS bodies must take a detailed look at why female nurses are much more likely to take their lives than male counterparts."

The Department of Health and Social Care told the Mirror: "The NHS will shortly set out its response to recommendations which will improve mental health support for staff, including access to a dedicated confidential helpline."

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Topics: UOKM8, UK News, Mental Health, NHS

Amelia Ward

Amelia is a journalist at LADbible. After studying journalism at Liverpool John Moores and Salford Uni (don't ask), she went into PR and then the world of music. She spent a few years working on festivals and events. Soon realising you can't pay your bills with guestlist, she went back to her roots. In her spare time, Amelia likes music, Liverpool FC, and spending good, quality time with her cat, Paul. You can contact Amelia at [email protected].

@ameliasward