Exploring the challenges faced by frontline workers in health and social care amid the COVID-19 pandemic: experiences of frontline workers in the English Midlands region, UK

ABSTRACT

The first cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) were reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Globally millions of people have been diagnosed with the virus whilst thousands have died. As the virus kept spreading health and social care frontline workers (HSCFW) were faced with difficulties when discharging their duties. This paper was set out to explore the challenges faced by different frontline workers in health and social care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research utilized an explorative qualitative approach. A total of forty (N = 40) in-depth one-to-one semi-structured interviews were undertaken with HSCFW who included support workers (n = 15), nurses (n = 15), and managers (N = 10). Health and social care workers were drawn from domiciliary care and care homes (with and without nursing services). All the interviews were done online. The data were thematically analyzed, and the emergent themes were supported by quotes from the interviews held with participants. Following data analysis the research study found that lack of pandemic preparedness, shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), anxiety and fear amongst professionals, challenges in enforcing social distancing, challenges in fulfilling social shielding responsibility, anxiety and fear amongst residents and service users, delay in testing, evolving PPE guidance and shortage of staff were challenges faced by frontline health and social care workers during COVID-19 pandemic. The results of the current study point to a need for adequate pandemic preparedness within the health and social care sector to protect both frontline workers and the individuals they look after.

KEYWORDS:

• COVID-19
• pandemic
• front-line workers
• shortage
• mental health
• UK

Declaration of interest

There was no funding for this research and all authors declare no conflict of interest.s

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mathew Nyashanu

Dr Mathew Nyashanu is a senior lecturer at Nottingham Trent university. He teaches on the MA in Public Health and supervises Postgraduates dissertation including PhDs. Dr Nyashanu also engages in research on different public health issues including sexual health, mental health, and health promotion. Dr Nyashanu has published extensively in the area of public health.

Farai Pfende

Ms Farai Pfende is a Registered nurse for over 20 years working in frontline and leadership across a range of healthcare and health and social care services. She is an award-winning trainer currently working as a Learning and Development practitioner in the health and social care sector, a Dementia Practice Development Coach and Public Health researcher.

Mandu Ekpenyong

Dr Mandu is currently working with Manchester Metropolitan University as a Researcher. Dr Mandu have over 7years track record of teaching and research experience. Dr Mandu have authored and co-authored over 15 Journal articles. Dr Mandu is a reviewer for Global Health Promotion, International Journal of Men’s Social and Community Health, International Journal of Studies in Nursing, and Journal of Nursing Research and Practice.