Home / Health / Night Shift Study Targets Safer Hospital Work
Night Shift Study Targets Safer Hospital Work
1 Aug
Summary
- Researchers will examine historical work cultures normalizing unsafe conditions.
- A £1.3m project will span five years, starting January.
- Practical approaches will be developed to improve night worker well-being.
A significant £1.3 million study is set to commence in January, aiming to improve working conditions for hospital night shift staff over five years. Researchers from Newcastle University will delve into the historical context of night shifts, examining how established work cultures have contributed to unsafe and unsustainable practices for medical personnel.
This initiative involves close collaboration with hospital night workers at Northumbria Healthcare, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals, and the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear trust. The research will also partner with educational institutions like Northumberland University and Edinburgh Napier University, alongside the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).
Lecturer Dr Kristin Hussey highlighted the project's goal to develop practical approaches for enhancing night shift worker well-being. The study will engage local policymakers and healthcare professionals through workshops, and partner with the Sleep Charity to create new policies and a practice toolkit. The RCN anticipates valuable insights that will inform their ongoing support and guidance for nursing staff across the UK.
