Therapy professionals in critical care: A UK wide workforce survey

Abstract

Introduction National guidelines suggest recommended staffing levels for therapies. The aim of this study was to capture information on existing staffing levels, roles and responsibilities and service structures. Methods An observational study using online surveys distributed to 245 critical care units across the United Kingdom (UK). Surveys consisted of a generic and five profession specific surveys. Results Eight hundred sixty-two responses were received from 197 critical care units across the UK. Of those that responded, over 96% of units had input from dietetics, physiotherapy and SLT. Whereas only 59.1% and 48.1% had an OT or psychology service respectively. Units with ring fenced services had improved therapist to patient ratios. Discussion There is significant variation in access to therapists for patients admitted to critical care in the UK, with many services not having services for core therapies such as psychology and OT. Where services do exist, they fall below the recommended guidance.

Exploring paediatric dietetic resources available for critically ill children in the UK and Ireland: A multicentre survey

“…PICUs reported a mean dietetic staff to bed ratio of 1:22.5 ± 11.7, which is similar to dietetic staffing levels reportedly available for adult ICUs 12 . These staffing levels suggest ICUs across the life course are chronically understaffed by appropriately trained nutrition healthcare professionals, such as dietitians, impacting short‐ and long‐term outcomes 8–11 …”

“…12 These staffing levels suggest ICUs across the life course are chronically understaffed by appropriately trained nutrition healthcare professionals, such as dietitians, impacting shortand long-term outcomes. [8][9][10][11] By contrast to adult dietetics ICU services, only 7% of PICUs were led by an AfC Band 8a compared to 12.5% of adult units. It should be noted the PICU AfC Band 8a Lead in one of the units is not funded specifically for PICU and, if vacated, the PICU post will revert to AfC Band 7.…”

“…PICU dietetic WTE provision was compared with recently published adult equivalent findings. 8 Additional questions focused on the dietetic service provision for paediatric high dependency and paediatric cardiology. No qualitative or demographic data was collected.…”

“…Evidence suggests the presence of a dedicated intensive care dietitian, as part a multidisciplinary team, improves nutrition support delivery, 5,6 which is shown to reduce morbidity and mortality in critically ill children 7 . Following an Allied Health Professional (AHP) workforce survey, the Intensive Care and Critical Care Society and British Dietetic Association (BDA) Critical Care Group recommended a minimum staffing level of one dietitian per 10 critical care beds, with the lead dietitian being at least an Agenda for Change (AfC) level Band 7 8,9 . The present study aimed to determine dietetic staffing levels in PICU, paediatric high dependency (PHDUs) and paediatric cardiology units in the UK and Republic of Ireland and compare these with adult dietetic critical care standards (2016) and Nation al Health Service (NHS) England Paediatric Cariology Standards (2016).…”

“…7 Following an Allied Health Professional (AHP) workforce survey, the Intensive Care and Critical Care Society and British Dietetic Association (BDA) Critical Care Group recommended a minimum staffing level of one dietitian per 10 critical care beds, with the lead dietitian being at least an Agenda for Change (AfC) level Band 7. 8,9 The present study aimed to determine dietetic staffing levels in PICU, paediatric high dependency (PHDUs) and paediatric cardiology units in the UK and Republic of Ireland and compare these with adult dietetic critical care standards ( 2016…”