So, it's begun. The cuts are coming and one month from now we are having the budget. Here in Scotland, Greater Glasgow Health Board have cut 500 frontline jobs and more look set to go.
Now, we know that cuts have to be made. And you might argue that the government has no control over what a health board or trust does with its budget. But actually it has.
Here's my genius idea for anyone to take up. If the government is serious about keeping frontline staff, then it should legislate for it. That is, have a minimum legal staffing requirement in hospital wards. Also have a minimum nutrition requirement and expenditure. That way, trusts will have to turn their attention to the top heavy administration to find savings instead of skimping on nurses and food. And then maybe we might get an NHS that works and some of the waste that does go on might be eliminated.
Dear Dave; use the rapier for cuts. Not the broadsword..
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Aint' goin to happen, unfortunately. Been needing legal minimum staffing levels for years but as long as the accountants are in charge - tough. Nurses for some reason are seen as an expensive layout, after all, all we do is 'wipe a few bums' how hard is that? Can't seem to get it into their heads that spending on good quality and numbers of nurses saves money in the long term. Look at Stafford.
I should add that I am including other front line staff in this, cut cleaners and porters numbers and who does their work? Yes. you've guessed it, the already overworked nursing staff.
Ah well, roll on retiral.
You never know, GrumpyRN. Sometimes if you throw an idea out there it gets picked up. The key thing is that it's not going to cost more money; you use the money that's already there and so government might have a look at it if they really don't want another Stafford. Those who have ears and all that..
I agree, it would be nice if it happened that way. But ever since I was told by my manager, "The accountant said it is alright for us to work short," I am now very, very cynical and expect to do more and more with les and less.
The accountants registration is not on the line, in fact he has no accountability to anyone except the board.
I would like to point out that I work in a fairly decent hospital but even we are having problems.
I would be willing to guarantee that there is another scandal out there as we speak waiting to be discovered. What will happen? Doctors, nurses and cleaning staff will be crucified in the press. There will be an inquiry, the chief executive will resign and be moved to another trust and the public will again lose trust and confidence in the NHS, and if it is within the next year or two the tories will blame the labour government.
I am going to show my age now; ever since the 1980's people like Graham Pink have been campaigning for decent nurse numbers. All it gets you is a P45.
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