A charity which provides financial and emotional support for nurses has seen an almost 50% rise in staff seeking help.
In a new report, Cavell warned that in over 100 years of supporting nurses and midwives, the charity has ‘never faced such a critical moment in meeting the escalating need’ and that it ‘urgently needs more funds’.
It stressed that without support from donors, sponsors and partners, the charity ‘simply cannot meet the demand’ for its services.
Cavell, which offers grants, financial advice and wellbeing services for nursing and midwifery staff, has faced a 47% increase in the number of professionals seeking help in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period last year.
In its ‘Partners in Care: How Your Support Changes Lives’ report, Cavell outlines the survey results of 1,300 nurses and midwives from June about the hardships the professions are facing.
Some 69% of respondents said they were ‘unprepared for a financial crisis’, such as having to relocate at short notice or receiving a large bill to pay.
Meanwhile, 37% reportedly had less than £500 in household savings, with the majority (92%) of respondents feeling their financial situation ‘negatively impacts’ their mental health.
More than half (59%) said the stress and worry over their finances makes it difficult for them to focus at work.
Alongside financial support, Cavell has also seen a rise in numbers of nursing and midwifery staff seeking support related to domestic abuse.
The charity’s research shows that nursing and midwifery professionals are ‘at least’ three times more likely to experience domestic abuse than the general population, based on Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures.
Of the nursing and midwifery staff surveyed by Cavell in 2024, 13% said they had experienced domestic abuse from a partner, ex-partner or family member in the last 12 months.
Almost six in 10 (59%) of survey respondents said they did not speak to their employer or an organisation which provides support about abuse.
Writing in the report, Cavell chief executive, Lewis Allett, said more money is ‘imperative if demand for support continues to rise at this rate’.
‘Thousands of individuals rely on Cavell’s lifeline services, which strengthens the nursing and midwifery professions and makes the healthcare system more effective,’ he added.
‘Cavell urgently needs your support to ensure that the people who care for us and our loved ones have somewhere to turn when they need help themselves well into the future.’
This article contains mention of domestic abuse, you can reach the Cavell charity here or the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 for professional support.
