NHS Western Isles on Eorpa
Posted: Thursday, 13 April 2006 |
成人快手2's excellent Eorpa programme devoted a large portion of Thursday 13th's edition to the problems at NHS Western Isles.
Allegations have surfaced that patient care is suffering as a result of the current management of the NHS in the islands. The staff have declared that they have NO confidence in the management. Although they recognise that change is necessary, they also say that the way the current management is conducting this change makes it impossible for them to accept what is happening.
The 拢3m financial deficit could also not possibly be handled properly by the current men at the top.
One nurse spoke on the program, but face and voice had been rendered unrecognisable, for fear of retaliatory action. They feel that they could not voice their concerns within the organisation, so they went to the local council. The staff were proud of their hospital in the past, it afforded the best care.
Concerns uttered included the movement of patients in the middle of the night. Amongst these was an elderly patient, suffering from Alzheimer's disease, who woke up in a different room from the one she had gone to sleep in.
Medicines were not given on time, food was not handed out on time. People had to wait to go to the toilet, and had to wait to come off the toilet. Patients with infections were being nursed in the general ward, rather than in a sideroom.
The Board's medical director said all complaints would be looked into, but also that the hospital was carrying out more operations on site, rather than sending patients off to Inverness.
Those uttering grievances had to face the consequences; one whistleblower had already been sacked. There was concern in the community at large about the current problems. A representative from the Scottish Executive is due to come to Stornoway shortly to look into matters at first hand.
The nursing unions however have threatened a work-to-rule, and not do all the extra things that were done up to now. This could erode support for their cause in the community. However, things could not go on the way they are going now.
[end of summary]
I have to say that the severity of the situation was not sufficiently strongly borne out by the program, although I was actually happy to hear our MSP speaking out in terms of support for the staff. The statements from the NHS Board are only too familiar, but as long as the atmosphere of intimidation and harassment continues to exist, nothing will improve. The NHS nationally has thrived on the commitment of its staff to patient care. Unfortunately, the callous disregard of management to its staff has now led to a decline in levels of care.
I'll await the outcome of the talks that the Executive's representative will be having in the near future. The best outcome is probably the replacement of the trio at the top of the organisation. Whether that will actually happen remains to be seen.
Allegations have surfaced that patient care is suffering as a result of the current management of the NHS in the islands. The staff have declared that they have NO confidence in the management. Although they recognise that change is necessary, they also say that the way the current management is conducting this change makes it impossible for them to accept what is happening.
The 拢3m financial deficit could also not possibly be handled properly by the current men at the top.
One nurse spoke on the program, but face and voice had been rendered unrecognisable, for fear of retaliatory action. They feel that they could not voice their concerns within the organisation, so they went to the local council. The staff were proud of their hospital in the past, it afforded the best care.
Concerns uttered included the movement of patients in the middle of the night. Amongst these was an elderly patient, suffering from Alzheimer's disease, who woke up in a different room from the one she had gone to sleep in.
Medicines were not given on time, food was not handed out on time. People had to wait to go to the toilet, and had to wait to come off the toilet. Patients with infections were being nursed in the general ward, rather than in a sideroom.
The Board's medical director said all complaints would be looked into, but also that the hospital was carrying out more operations on site, rather than sending patients off to Inverness.
Those uttering grievances had to face the consequences; one whistleblower had already been sacked. There was concern in the community at large about the current problems. A representative from the Scottish Executive is due to come to Stornoway shortly to look into matters at first hand.
The nursing unions however have threatened a work-to-rule, and not do all the extra things that were done up to now. This could erode support for their cause in the community. However, things could not go on the way they are going now.
[end of summary]
I have to say that the severity of the situation was not sufficiently strongly borne out by the program, although I was actually happy to hear our MSP speaking out in terms of support for the staff. The statements from the NHS Board are only too familiar, but as long as the atmosphere of intimidation and harassment continues to exist, nothing will improve. The NHS nationally has thrived on the commitment of its staff to patient care. Unfortunately, the callous disregard of management to its staff has now led to a decline in levels of care.
I'll await the outcome of the talks that the Executive's representative will be having in the near future. The best outcome is probably the replacement of the trio at the top of the organisation. Whether that will actually happen remains to be seen.
Posted on Arnish Lighthouse at 14:08
I have been in Lewis since late 2004 and am observing life on this fascinating island from an outsider's perspective. I look out at the lighthouse every day - as it looks out over the island and the sea. 
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