NHS 111 staff exodus: Half of workforce quit in last three years amid 'immense pressure'

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By Alan Jones, PA

Staff handling calls on the NHS 111 medical service are leaving in large numbers because of heavy workloads, staff shortages and abuse from callers, a union is warning.

Unison said figures provided by six ambulance services in England and Wales show almost half of staff left their jobs in the three years to April 2024.

The study also revealed that 300,000 days were lost to ill health at the six organisations in the same period.

In the year to April 2024, the service for Yorkshire had the highest staff turnover (76%), followed by South East Coast (62%) and South Central (44%), said Unison.

The report also includes a survey of more than 200 staff, who said the volume of calls, staff shortages and aggressive and abusive callers were the worst challenges they faced in the job.

Unison’s national ambulance officer Sharan Bandesha said: “NHS 111 is a lifeline for patients and their families.