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Fewer than a third of UK doctors feel protected from Covid at work – poll

British Medical Association says figure of 28% – down from 41% last July – is a ‘terrible indictment’
Fewer than a third (28%) of UK doctors feel they are fully protected from coronavirus in their place of work, according to a survey.
The findings of the poll by the British Medical Association (BMA) show a decline since July when 41% of doctors said they felt protected.
Rob Harwood, the chair of the BMA consultants committee, said no one should have to go to work feeling unsafe, “but these results show that our doctors the length and breadth of the country seem to be doing just that – and that’s a terrible indictment”.
He added: “To be caring for patients, many of whom are seriously ill and need complex care, while anxious about the adequacy of your own protection from the virus should not be happening in a 21st-century health service.”
The BMA has been regularly surveying doctors across the UK since April to find out about their experiences. “It’s almost impossible to comprehend the mental anguish to frontline staff caused by the stress of working through this pandemic, but it’s time to try,” said Harwood.
Separate research suggests that nearly half of doctors who worked in high-pressure conditions during the first wave of coronavirus face ongoing distress. The study, based on responses from more than 5,400 doctors in the UK and Ireland, found that 45% reported psychological distress as the pandemic accelerated to its initial peak in 2020.
Researchers from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) and psychologists from the University of Bath surveyed emergency, anaesthetics and intensive care professionals in the lead up to, at the peak and after the peak of the first wave of infections last year.
A total of 5,440 doctors – 16% of the 34,188 working in the field – responded to the first survey, 3,896 to the “peak” survey, and 3,079 to the third survey.
Harwood said the government and employers needed to produce a credible, practical plan of action to repair the damage done to staff trust and ensure that “our NHS staff are given the care and attention they need so they, in turn, can give patients what they need”.
The BMA is calling for better access to more protective face masks, Covid-secure rest facilities, and for doctors to be able to take leave they haven’t yet been able to take.
The union said it had seen a steady increase in the number of doctors being supported by its wellbeing services and contacting its 24-hour helpline.
source: Sarah Marsh
Levant
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- April 23, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”
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