NHS must help staff who have to deal with terror attacks

The NHS must plan for the devastating long term effects on staff dealing with mass casualty terror attacks, such as the Manchester suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande gig which killed 22 innocent concert-goers, warns a new report.

Experts claim the physical and psychological complications of such atrocities on medical staff who have to deal with the repercussions of the horrific events are ‘severe, under-reported, and underappreciated’.

They stressed the NHS in England has faced an ‘unprecedented’ amount of major incidents this year, including the deaths of eight people in June’s London Bridge terror attack when a van deliberately mounted the pavement.

Professor Chris Moran, NHS England’s national clinical director for trauma, also pointed to the Westminster attack in March, when six lives were claimed as a car driven by an Islamic terrorist went into a group of pedestrians.

Writing in the BMJ, he said all have tested the country’s major trauma system. His comments come as the chief of MI5 warned that fresh attacks to the country are inevitable as the UK faces its most severe ever terrorist threat. 

Experts claim the physical and psychological complications of such atrocities on NHS staff who have to deal with the repercussions of the horrific events are ‘severe’

Professor Moran said: ‘Perhaps the clearest lesson to emerge from recent incidents is that the physical and psychological effects on healthcare staff at receiving hospitals are severe, under-reported, and underappreciated.’

The trauma surgeon at Nottingham University Hospital added that debriefing and sharing information is ‘critical’ so that lessons learnt can be rapidly incorporated into future plans.

‘Staff need time’ 

‘Staff need time to recuperate physically and psychologically after the extraordinary demands placed on them during the initial response,’ he wrote in an editorial published in the prestigious journal.

‘Supporting staff is a critical component of medium and long term planning, along with a recognition of the effect their experiences will have on their capacity to return to ”business as usual’.’

He warned that mass casualty events also have important long term implications for primary care and community services. For example, patients with severe physical injuries require prolonged treatment, rehab, and support.

NHS SOCIAL MEDIA WARNING AFTER TERROR ATTACKS

NHS England issued guidance to staff and terror attack victims to warn them about the risk of social media trolls, but also telling them to be wary of journalists in September.

The organisation created a new guide to social media, which warned that trolls may target victims, as was seen in the aftermath of the Manchester and London terror attacks.

The guide also issued pros and cons about dealing with the media and tells NHS staff not to respond to journalist tweets asking for interviews or information following an attack.

It told victims of terror attacks that positive media coverage can help with any appeals they have, such as searching for loved ones, and can enable them to pay tribute to those who have been killed.

The guide also lists reasons not to speak to the media, including ‘saying more than you intend when you are vulnerable, upset or angry’ and putting friends and family in the spotlight when they might not want it.

While patients, their families, the bereaved, witnesses, and the wider community may develop mental health complications such as depression or PTSD.

Frontline carers must care for patients often witnessing death and life changing injuries against a backdrop of physical exhaustion in the wake of terror attacks.

Sufficient plans needed 

Professor Moran said hospitals up and down the country should have sufficient plans in place to combat the potential effects that can last weeks or even months after dealing with a mass casualty event.

‘Hospitals should not underestimate the need for operating rooms, blood products and other consumables, intensive care provision, and coordinated multidisciplinary intervention,’ he added.

He warned it was ‘increasingly clear’ that hospitals and staff have to cope with the attacks for much longer than the first 24 hours. For instance, more than 350 hours of extra surgery were required in the week after the terrorist attack in Manchester.

The Manchester Arena bombing, which struck on May 22, injured 250 people as they were leaving the packed stadium after watching 24-year-old superstar Grande. It was the deadliest attack on British soil since the 7/7 London bombings.

Professor Moran’s warning 

Professor Moran was behind a letter sent to the 27 major trauma centres across England in May, when fears of a similar incident to the one that rocked Manchester were heightened. 

The message, obtained by the Health Service Journal, re-iterated the potential danger the UK faced, as the threat level was raised to critical – the highest level it could be – in the wake of the suicide bombing.

These centres, found in various English cities, are set up to provide specialised care and rehabilitation to people suffering life-changing injuries that could result in death without urgent treatment. 

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