Survey finds only one in five specialist mental health nurses consider their workload manageable

Mental health patients are being “routinely harmed” in the UK due to rising cases, chronic staff shortages and excessive administrative burden, according to a survey by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).The survey found that only one in five specialist mental health nurses consider their workload manageable.The UK-wide survey, which received 399 responses from community mental health nurses, highlights the increasing strain on services already struggling to keep pace with demand.

‘Perfect storm’ in mental health nursing, says RCN

Professor Nicola Ranger, general secretary and chief executive of the RCN, said mental health nurses were working in a “perfect storm” of increased demand and inadequate staffing.He warned that despite nurses working under extreme pressure, many patients are missing out on timely care, leading to worsening mental health conditions.

Patients are facing delays, risk of loss is increasing

According to the survey findings, 51 percent of respondents said patients often suffer harm due to high caseloads, while almost a quarter said time pressure results in daily problems such as relapses, falls or self-harm.Some nurses reported that vulnerable patients often waited weeks for a response, while some were never contacted.One respondent described the situation as “unregulated and unsafe”, while another said that due to work pressure, employees sometimes do not have time even for basic needs.

The number of cases is increasing faster than the workforce growth

The RCN said demand for community mental health services in England would increase by 38 per cent between October 2022 and 2025 – from about 499,000 to about 690,000 people. Over the same period, the nursing workforce grew by only 15 percent.Nearly two-thirds of nurses said their workload had increased significantly over the past three years, while only 19 percent described the workload as manageable.

Warnings on burnout and system stress

Nurses also reported severe burnout, with some saying they routinely worked beyond shifts and struggled to complete essential tasks. Administrative burden and “tick-box” processes were cited as major factors reducing time for direct patient care.The Care Quality Commission separately warned that long waiting times were common, with many patients waiting months for mental health appointments.

Call for immediate investment in workforce

The RCN has called for continued and significant investment in community mental health nursing, along with improvements to digital systems to reduce administrative duplication.Professor Ranger said there is an urgent need for stronger workforce planning, adding that community mental health nurses play a vital role in preventing hospital admissions and aiding recovery.

Government defends record funding push

A spokesperson for the UK Department of Health and Social Care said the number of mental health nurses is expected to increase by 26 per cent from July 2024 and highlighted a record £16.1 billion investment in mental health services this year, along with improvements to the Mental Health Act and the recruitment of additional staff.However, health experts and nursing leaders have warned that demand continues to exceed capacity, putting frontline services under continued pressure.

Currently, the Indian summer continues to rage on in a persistent and intense manner, with many cities experiencing extreme hot weather simultaneously. The temperature in about ten cities has reached 46 degrees Celsius and is one of the hottest cities in the world at the moment. The heat wave appears to be localized to Uttar Pradesh state and neighboring areas, indicating that there may be a widespread geographic impact rather than a random surge. There are no signs of rain in the weather forecast, and the sky will be sunny and cloudless, which helps in maintaining constant warmth throughout the day.According to AQI as of 27 April 2026, India is currently experiencing a sustained period of intense heat, with many cities recording extreme temperatures at the same time. See below what the current real-time data looks like for the world’s hottest cities.

list of hottest cities in the world

Source: AQI.in

World’s hottest cities: Extreme heat in India turns cities into scorching hotspots

Banda

Banda is located in the Bundelkhand region, which is characterized by its dry soil and scant vegetation. This helps in getting hot faster due to the summer season in this particular area. Since there is little moisture in the air, solar radiation increases, leading to higher temperatures.

Fatehpur

Fatehpur is located in the middle Gangetic plains, where soil warming is significant even during prolonged periods of dryness. The region generally experiences good weather conditions in April and May, with consistently high temperatures. With no clouds or rain systems, temperatures remain high throughout the day. Additionally, the winds blowing in this region bring warm air.

Etawah

Etawah is under the influence of semi-arid climate, resulting in scorching heat in summers. Etawah’s landscape has a high efficiency rate when it comes to absorbing heat. It can also retain this heat well, especially during the hot and sunny days of the summer season.

Bindki

Bindki shares similar climatic characteristics as a result of its inland location. There are no large bodies of water nearby, resulting in a lack of temperature regulation. This means that the temperature rises rapidly during the day and falls slowly at night. The weather is clear and persistent, resulting in high temperatures.

Auraiya

Auraiya often records a sharp rise in temperatures during the prolonged dry season. The flat terrain of the area allows uninterrupted solar radiation throughout the day. When this is combined with low humidity and minimal cloud cover, it leads to rapid heating. Such conditions are common during heat waves across North India.

Moradabad

Moradabad, located in the northern plains, may also experience extreme heat during extreme heat wave conditions. Despite being farther north, it is still influenced by dry continental air masses. These conditions reduce the cooling effect and significantly increase temperatures during the day.

kindly

Kripalu Dham Mangarh is located in an area that enjoys long periods of sunshine during the summer months. Temperatures remain consistently high due to the lack of significant seasonal disturbances. With minimal cloud interference, solar radiation remains high throughout the day, contributing to persistent heat conditions.

Prayagraj

Prayagraj, also known as Allahabad, often records high temperatures due to its geographical setting. Located in the Indo-Gangetic plains, it experiences strong solar heating during summer. Dry winds and clear skies further add to the rise in temperatures, making it one of the hottest cities during heat waves.

Gohad

Gohad is located in central India, where continental heating effects are particularly strong. The region lacks coastal influence, meaning temperatures can rise without restraint. Prolonged dry conditions and stable weather patterns often result in high temperatures during the summer.

Bankura

Bankura represents eastern India in this list. Although the region may experience humidity, temperature levels rise significantly during the dry season. When there is no rainfall and the sky is clear, the heat increases rapidly. This results in conditions similar to those seen in the central and northern regions during heat waves.

Heatwave guidance issued by PIB

Guidelines have been issued by India Meteorological DepartmentWhich is under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, through official communication issued by PIB. According to their report, temperatures in most areas of north-western, central and peninsular India are in the range of 40°C-44°C with some places recording higher temperatures. In many areas, an increase of about 5 degrees Celsius has been observed compared to the normal temperature. This means that heat stress has developed in these areas.The forecast suggests heat wave conditions in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and parts of Central India. Coastal areas will see hot-humid weather conditions, while northern plains will experience warm nights.Avoid sun exposure between noon and late afternoon. Drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated. Wear loose-fitting cotton clothes to reduce heat stress. Avoid vigorous activities when it is extremely hot outside. For this, children, old people and sick people require special care.IMD has said that timely information is essential to take appropriate precautions to prevent heatstroke and heat exhaustion in these conditions which are likely to prevail in the coming days.

Coober Pedy is one of Australia’s strangest and most famous outback towns, a place where much of daily life happens below the surface because the desert heat above ground can be punishing. Located in South Australia, about 950 km north-west of Adelaide, opal mining brought a rush of people to the area after a discovery in 1915. Today, it is recognized as the largest producer of precious opal in the world and is known for its dugout homes, underground churches, underground hotels, and other underground spaces that helped residents make life in the desert more bearable.

Origin of underground life under the desert in Australia

The history of Coober Pedy is inseparable from that of Opal. According to the local town plan, modern settlement began when 14-year-old William Hutchison discovered opal in 1915, attracting miners to the remote desert. It is a mining town in central South Australia, and official South Australian tourism materials describe it as the Opal Capital of the Outback. By the 1980s, city records show it was the largest producer of opal in the world, and while mining has declined since then, the industry still defines the city’s identity.Underground movement was nothing new. It was a practical answer to the desert climate. Community planning documents show that the first dugouts began as mines, then evolved into purpose-built underground homes, with sandstone insulation to help keep temperatures more stable. South Australian Tourism describes Coober Pedy as a bizarre underground city in the middle of the desert, while Bureau of Meteorology climate records show the area experiences hot, dry conditions much like inland South Australia. Underground design made everyday life more lively and transformed existence into a unique architectural style.

Aerial view of Coober Pedy Opal Mines, Australia

what life looks like underground

In Coober Pedy, underground life is not limited to homes. Tourism and local planning sources describe underground restaurants, shops, cafes, campgrounds, motels, and even churches. South Australia’s tourism material says visitors can tour underground houses, churches, mines and shops, while a local planning document states that many residents live in dugouts that are fully furnished and decorated. Some of these houses are entered through cut-outs in the hill, making the city surface appear sparse and industrial, while much of the actual living space is hidden underground.

City churches and hotels

One of the most distinctive features of Coober Pedy is that spiritual and business life have also adapted to the underground setting. A heritage assessment states that the first official underground church in South Australia was built in 1967, underscoring how long this architectural pattern has existed in the city. Underground accommodations such as the Opal Inn, and travel guides to the area highlight underground churches and motels as part of the standard visitor experience. In Coober Pedy, the idea of ​​a hotel or church being underground is not symbolic. This is absolutely normal.

An underground church in Coober Pedy.

Which tourists can still see today

Visitors to Coober Pedy find a city built around contradictions. Above ground, the landscape is open, dusty and marked by spoil heaps, mines and low buildings scattered across the desert. Below ground, there are magnificent interiors, carved rock walls, unusual chapels and underground dwellings that allow travelers to experience first-hand the city’s original survival strategy. Official tourism sources recommend underground lodges, mine tours and stops at local sites such as the town’s churches and mining attractions, which is why Coober Pedy is often described as an experience more than a destination.

A desert city that became a global curiosity

Coober Pedy continues to attract because it is both extreme and practical. Here, geology, climate and human ingenuity have shaped the entire layout of the city. What began as a remote mining camp evolved into a settlement designed for comfort in the harsh desert conditions. Over time, this adaptation has turned Coober Pedy into one of the most distinctive outback communities, where living underground seems to be the most sensible way to tolerate the environment.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla are due to arrive in the United States on Monday for a four-day state visit, marking a significant moment in UK-US relations.The visit, the most significant overseas visit of Charles’s reign, coincides with the 250th anniversary of American independence and is the first such visit by a British monarch in two decades.

This visit is taking place after the dinner shooting incident at the White House.

The visit comes just days after the shooting incident near the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, where Donald Trump and senior officials were considered possible targets.Reuters reported that despite the fears, Buckingham Palace confirmed the visit would go ahead as planned after high-level security reviews.The royal visit is taking place against a backdrop of strained relations between Washington and London, driven primarily by differences over the US-Israel conflict involving Iran.Trump has publicly criticized Keir Starmer for Britain’s stance, raising tensions between the traditionally close allies.The British government hopes the visit will help stabilize the historic “special relationship”, under pressure not seen since the Suez crisis.Charles, who is often described as a leading diplomatic figure despite his constitutional role, is expected to use the visit to reinforce shared values ​​and cooperation.The visit will begin with a private meeting and tea with Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. Charles will then address the US Congress – only the second British monarch to do so – followed by a state dinner at the White House.The royal couple will also visit New York to honor the victims of the September 11 attacks ahead of their 25th anniversary and later visit Virginia, where the monarch will highlight environmental initiatives that have long been a focus of her public life.

domestic criticism

There has been a debate on this journey in Britain. Critics argue that the prospects of engaging closely with Trump amid geopolitical tensions are problematic, while others see it as a necessary effort to strengthen diplomatic ties.The visit also comes as attention is being focused on the Prince Andrew controversy linked to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. However, royal sources indicate that the issue will remain off the official agenda to avoid legal complications.

Baloch Liberation Army on Monday claimed that it conducted 27 operations in several districts PakistanAt least 42 Pakistani military personnel are alleged to have been killed in Balochistan province between April 15 and April 25.Balochistan Post, quoting a statement from BLA spokesperson Ziand Baloch, reported that its fighters carried out improvised explosive device (IED) blasts, ambushes, raids and drone strikes targeting Pakistani security forces.It was claimed that during this period 42 Pakistani army personnel were killed, many others were injured and one soldier was captured. The BLA also alleged that it seized weapons and briefly captured several posts and facilities of the security forces in different areas.The group further claimed that three of its fighters were killed. The statement said its fighters targeted advancing troops with a remote-controlled IED in the Sohanda area, leading to an ambush in which several soldiers were reportedly killed. According to the TBP, it was also alleged that 11 people were killed in subsequent operations in nearby civilian areas.