Moral distress in the healthcare workforce
In March 2023, NEAC wrote to the Minister of Health to raise concerns about the wellbeing of the health workforce and the lack of available clinical ethics capacity to support those working in the health sector.
NEAC believes that interactions between patients and health care professionals are at the heart of health care. These interactions have an essential ethical dimension that may at times be challenging. Supporting professionals and organisations to meet those challenges can help ensure that patient care is provided in an ethically and culturally appropriate manner.
NEAC advised the Minister to consider the strengthening the clinical ethics frameworks and support at a national level.
The Minister acknowledged NEAC’s concerns and advised that these issues will be considered as part of the review of the Health Workforce Strategy and implementation of workforce initiatives.