Julian Stribling1, Andrew Clifton1, George McGill2, Kay de Vries1. 1. Leicester School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK. 2. Data Analyst Consultant, 36 South Terrace, Littlehampton, BN17 5NU, UK.
Abstract
AIM: To examine the UK pandemic preparedness in light of health expenditure, nursing workforce, and mortality rates in and relation to nursing leadership. BACKGROUND: The Global Health Security Index categorized the preparedness of 195 countries to face a biological threat on a variety of measures, producing an overall score. The United States of America and the United Kingdom were ranked 1st and 2nd most prepared in 2019. METHOD: A cross-nation comparison of the top 36 countries ranked by Global Health Security Index score using a variety of online sources, including key data about each nation's expenditure on health and the nursing workforce, and compared these with mortality data for COVID-19. RESULTS: The extent of a country's pandemic preparedness, expenditure on healthcare and magnitude of the nursing workforce does not appear to impact mortality rates at this stage of the pandemic which is something of a paradox. CONCLUSION: It is important that arrangements for dealing with future global pandemics involve a range of agencies and experts in the field, including nurse leaders. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: To achieve the best outcomes for patients, nurse leaders should be involved in policy forums at all levels of government to ensure nurses can influence health policy.
AIM: To examine the UK pandemic preparedness in light of health expenditure, nursing workforce, and mortality rates in and relation to nursing leadership. BACKGROUND: The Global Health Security Index categorized the preparedness of 195 countries to face a biological threat on a variety of measures, producing an overall score. The United States of America and the United Kingdom were ranked 1st and 2nd most prepared in 2019. METHOD: A cross-nation comparison of the top 36 countries ranked by Global Health Security Index score using a variety of online sources, including key data about each nation's expenditure on health and the nursing workforce, and compared these with mortality data for COVID-19. RESULTS: The extent of a country's pandemic preparedness, expenditure on healthcare and magnitude of the nursing workforce does not appear to impact mortality rates at this stage of the pandemic which is something of a paradox. CONCLUSION: It is important that arrangements for dealing with future global pandemics involve a range of agencies and experts in the field, including nurse leaders. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: To achieve the best outcomes for patients, nurse leaders should be involved in policy forums at all levels of government to ensure nurses can influence health policy.
Authors: Bach Xuan Tran; Long Hoang Nguyen; Linh Phuong Doan; Tham Thi Nguyen; Giang Thu Vu; Hoa Thi Do; Huong Thi Le; Carl A Latkin; Cyrus S H Ho; Roger C M Ho Journal: PLoS One Date: 2022-09-23 Impact factor: 3.752