Older nurses ‘neglected’ by the NHS
A report published today has found that NHS hospitals are neglecting older nurses, causing many to leave or take early retirement.
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has today published a study into the situation of nurses over 50 in the NHS. It found that despite Government efforts to stem the number of nurses leaving the service, little attention has been given to more flexible work and pension arrangements that would encourage older nurses to stay.
There are over 145,000 nurses aged over 50 in the NHS and almost 10,000 nurses retire each year with the number taking early retirement rising. The problem is also increasing because one in three nurses will turn 50 during the current decade.
Researchers at the University of Hull interviewed 84 nurses over the age of 50 and found a common selection of complaints, including a lack of pension provisions, inflexible working arrangements and few measures to reduce stress.
One NHS manager summed up the prevailing attitude telling researchers: ‘It is the younger ones who are obviously important for the future, and that is, therefore, where our attentions are more focused.’
Prof. Roger Watson, co author of the report, said that the NHS has not been devoting enough specific attention to nurturing older nurses as a valuable resource.
‘The result is that nurses feel they are not being helped by their employers to address difficulties associated with growing older in a rapidly changing service. This undoubtedly contributes to an earlier exit from nursing than might otherwise be the case,’ he explained.
