Cuts - the Rapier and the Broadsword

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..