'Brutal' new rotas causing stress

Changes to Thames Valley Police officers' rotas have caused higher levels of stress, a survey has found, as reported on bbc.co.uk news 

TVP Federation carried out the survey after a new system was introduced, and 76% of the 1,172 officers who completed it said their work/life balance had deteriorated.

One said the new shift patterns were "brutal" and his family had described him as a "walking zombie".

The force said it "absolutely acknowledged" a rise in stress levels.

The new model has seen officers in frontline teams moved to investigation hubs.

The feedback says changes have resulted in high workloads, long hours, large amounts of overtime and less time between shifts.

Federation chairman Craig O'Leary said officers were "struggling to keep their heads above water".

He added: "They don't want the overtime, they want to see their families. They want to feel like they're well rested.

"I have very real concerns for our members. For their health, their wellbeing and their families."

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What else did the survey find?

• 65% of officers said their workload had increased

• 85% said they had not seen any improvement in the service for communities

• Two thirds said they were more likely to leave

• Two thirds described their mental state as "fair or poor"

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A recently retired member of Thames Valley Police told BBC South Today: "The shift pattern we work now is incredibly hard, described by myself and colleagues as brutal.

"There is no social life, my family describe me as a walking zombie when I'm not at work, and even at work the cumulative effect of that sort of fatigue is constant brain fog."

Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Ross described it as the "most significant change, in terms of scale, that the force has delivered in recent years".

She added: "There is a period of adjustment for the organisation and for individuals and we do not take this lightly.

"We absolutely acknowledge that there has been a rise in stress levels on the frontline and are continuing to ensure that appropriate support is available, at the same time as analysing the sources of this pressure to enable us to take appropriate action."

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BBC reports that Disability assessors 'lack right skills'

Disability assessors 'lack right skills'

A report from a UN committee has criticised the UK government for its treatment of disabled people, saying it needs to do much more to protect the rights of the disabled.

The UK is required to regularly report to the UN on how it is honouring the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.

Anastasia Tempest, who lives in York, has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair.

She told 5 live’s Tony Livesey: "Social care managers are not equipped, and lack skill, in knowing how to assess people with disabilities."

She said she was asked "quite ridiculous" questions in her assessment, including "who does your eyeshadow?" and "do you put your own earrings in?"

A government spokesman said: “We’re disappointed that this report does not accurately reflect the evidence we gave to the UN, and fails to recognise all the progress we’ve made to empower disabled people."

He said the UK spent a record £50bn a year to support disabled people and those with health conditions - the second highest amount in the G7. 

The UK was committed to furthering rights for all disabled people, he said, adding that almost 600,000 had moved into work over four years.

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