NHS staff expect to miss festive events with friends and family due to winter pressures such as staff shortages, illness and abusive patient behavior, a survey suggests.

The research, commissioned by NHS Charities Together of 520 NHS workers, found that 51% of those surveyed said December was the most stressful month for them.

Dr Radha Modgil, from Surrey, said: “The pressure is always there, but we really feel it around Christmas. »

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said: “We know that NHS staff have been overworked for years and we understand the significant concerns of hard-working staff about the pressures they face. is facing this winter. »