A hydrated nurse is a safe nurse

Have you ever reached the end of your shift and realised you haven’t drunk any fluids for hours and can’t remember when you last went to the toilet? And when you do go, you’re shocked by the colour of your wee? Sadly, that’s the reality for many of us working under extreme pressure. But as every health care worker knows, a good fluid intake (six to eight cups or glasses a day) is essential for health and wellbeing. It’s also an important safety issue, with studies showing that dehydration can impact concentration, cognitive function and trigger fatigue which is a serious concern in safety critical roles like nursing. 

Factors such as the menopause, pregnancy and breast feeding, certain health conditions and wearing PPE for long periods, can also increase hydration needs. 

As we enter the hotter summer months, taking in enough fluid is even more important. During recent heatwaves we have heard reports of nursing staff being denied access to drinking water in their immediate working environment and even reports of staff passing out at work; this is simply unsafe, immoral and must stop. 

Keeping hydrated is an important form of self-care for nursing staff, but equally, employers have a duty to support us; this isn’t just a moral duty, it’s a legal one too. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993 require employers to ensure “workers have an adequate supply of wholesome drinking water that is readily accessible at suitable places.”  The key words here are ‘readily accessible’ – not at the other end of the corridor or locked away in your locker on the other side of the ward.  

As well as access to drinking water, these regulations require the provision of rest facilities and reasonable indoor working temperatures.   

Visit our Rest, Rehydrate and Refuel webpage for more information on your rights, myth busters and case studies of how nursing staff have tackled these and other issues. The NHS Staff Council also has guidance for managers and safety reps to support organisations to comply with the law around access to welfare facilities and drinking water. 

If you have made improvements in your workplace or have any suggestions on how the RCN can improve our Rest, Rehydrate and Refuel resources, then the RCN’s Safety Representatives Committee would love to hear from you. You can email the RCN’s Health and Safety Team at HSWTeam@rcn.org.uk