At the outbreak of the Pandemic the NHS had many unfilled posts. The Question is why could these posts not be filled? Some thoughts how to resolve this problem, especially in the light of so much unemployment now coming on stream. Is lack of satisfaction the basic cause?
1. Pay – particularly for trained Nurses and Technicians. Differential too broad..
2. Poor Working conditions – Long hours/unsociable shift work.
3. Lack of Team work and remaining with the same team.
4.Lack of respect and appreciation by higher management for those on front line duty.
5.Too many Tiers of Management.
6. Too much reliance on expensive Agency Staff – better to have 10% ‘extra’ staff than pay Agency Staff.
7. Do Nurses need degrees? Lack of ‘on the wards’ experience.
I was a Car Ferry Captain and my wife a Staff Nurse – both of us now well retired. Both of us agree that Team work and taking ‘ownership’ of our particular duties was a basic requirement for satisfaction and efficiency.
For too long the NHS and Care work has been a political football. It needs proper funding and independence. This might entail overhauling the tax system and making it fairer, so that those who can afford to pay are involved. Age and retirement should not come into the equation. Find out what is needed and ‘MAKE IT HAPPEN’ – too many broken promises in the past – Time to act.
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