Redeployment experiences of healthcare workers in the UK during COVID-19: a cross-sectional analysis from the nationwide UK-REACH study

Objectives To assess how ethnicity, migration status and occupation are associated with healthcare workers (HCW) redeployment experiences during COVID-19 in a nationwide ethnically diverse sample. Design A cross-sectional analysis using data from the nationwide United Kingdom Research Study into Ethnicity And COVID-19 outcomes in Healthcare workers (UK-REACH) cohort study. Setting Healthcare settings. Participants Healthcare workers (HCW). Main Outcome Measures Outcome measures included redeployment, provision of training and supervision during redeployment, change in patient contact and interaction with COVID-19 patients. Methods We used logistic regression to examine associations of ethnicity, migration status, and occupation with redeployment experiences of HCWs. Results Of the 10,889 HCWs included, 20.4% reported being redeployed during the first UK national lockdown in March 2020. Those in nursing roles (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.22, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.04–1.42, p = 0.009) (compared to medical roles) had higher likelihood of being redeployed as did migrants compared to those born in the UK (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.06–1.49, p = 0.01) (in a subcohort of HCWs on the agenda for change (AfC) pay scales). Asian HCWs were less likely to report receiving training (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.50–0.88, p = 0.005) and Black HCWs (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.14–3.57, p = 0.02) were more likely to report receiving supervision, compared to White colleagues. Finally, redeployed Black (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.07–1.66, p = 0.009) and Asian HCWs (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.14–1.48, p < 0.001) were more likely to report face-to-face interaction with COVID-19 patients than White HCWs. Conclusions Our findings highlight disparities in HCWs’ redeployment experiences by ethnicity, migration, and job role which are potentially related to structural inequalities in healthcare.