Health Workers ‘Grappling With Fatigue'
The New Paper|October 12, 2021
Heavier workload and manpower shortage increase strain as Covid cases hit thousands, but new health measures may provide respite
Shabana Begum & Nadine Chua
Health Workers ‘Grappling With Fatigue'

More patients to tend to, working overtime and recalled for duty on days off, no time for toilet breaks, exhaustion and feeling burnt out.

This is what many healthcare workers in hospitals have been going through since Covid-19 cases rose to the thousands daily from mid-September.

For nurse Anne (not her real name), the number of infected patients she has to monitor in a Covid-19 ward of a SingHealth hospital has doubled.

In July and early August, the 24-year-old and her colleague took care of six patients at any one time. Now, they look after 12.

“We don’t even have time to go on breaks. I would just push through and sometimes don’t even use the toilet,” she said.

Like Anne, the healthcare workers The Straits Times spoke to declined to reveal their names – and, in some cases, the hospitals they work in – because of work policies.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE NEW PAPERView all
UK expects 100,000 cases a day but no new measures for now
The New Paper

UK expects 100,000 cases a day but no new measures for now

Britain’s government has rejected calls to trigger “Plan B” measures to limit spiralling Covid-19 infection rates, even as it warned that cases could reach as many 100,000 a day over the winter months.

time-read
1 min  |
October 22, 2021
Russia worried amid detection of Delta Plus
The New Paper

Russia worried amid detection of Delta Plus

It is believed to be more contagious than Delta, may push rate of new cases up

time-read
2 mins  |
October 22, 2021
Ronaldo a cautionary tale for Salah
The New Paper

Ronaldo a cautionary tale for Salah

United star’s recent club career suggests that Egyptian could be best served staying at Liverpool

time-read
3 mins  |
October 22, 2021
Prive Group CEO punched teen, made lewd comments
The New Paper

Prive Group CEO punched teen, made lewd comments

He pleads guilty to assault, harassment in court for unprovoked attack in lift that left boy, 13, traumatised

time-read
2 mins  |
October 22, 2021
Man's guilty plea for harassing bus driver set aside after charge disputed
The New Paper

Man's guilty plea for harassing bus driver set aside after charge disputed

A man who had earlier pleaded guilty in a district court to a harassment charge after he livestreamed a confrontation with an SBS bus driver has had his plea set aside.

time-read
1 min  |
October 22, 2021
Eateries frustrated by dining-in limit, seek more communication
The New Paper

Eateries frustrated by dining-in limit, seek more communication

Restaurateurs have greeted the extension of Covid-19 rules restricting dining-in to two people until Nov 21 with frustration and resignation.

time-read
1 min  |
October 22, 2021
Courier's error in delivering drug package lands volleyball coach in jail
The New Paper

Courier's error in delivering drug package lands volleyball coach in jail

A volleyball coach who used courier firm Lalamove to deliver a package containing methamphetamine to a drug abuser was caught after the deliveryman sent it to another flat by mistake.

time-read
1 min  |
October 22, 2021
Businesses in ‘deep despair and disrepair'
The New Paper

Businesses in ‘deep despair and disrepair'

Latest extension of curbs could lead to more closures, job losses in retail sector

time-read
2 mins  |
October 22, 2021
Biennial World Cup must be ‘beneficial to all'
The New Paper

Biennial World Cup must be ‘beneficial to all'

Fifa chief Infantino aims to seek consensus over controversial plans

time-read
3 mins  |
October 22, 2021
10 ART kits to be delivered to each household from today
The New Paper

10 ART kits to be delivered to each household from today

From today, around 1,000 postmen will deliver 10 antigen rapid test (ART) kits to households islandwide.

time-read
1 min  |
October 22, 2021