Workforce numbers hide wider pressures, warns RCN Scotland

Published: 26 February 2013

The workforce numbers issued today by Information Statistics Divison (ISD) hide wider pressures within our health service, warns the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Scotland today.

Commenting, Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Scotland Director Theresa Fyffe said:

“We’re obviously pleased to see that some health boards seem to have realised they’ve cut too many nursing posts and have stopped the decline of recent years.  However, this is not happening across all health boards and we have ongoing concerns about the ability of our health service to deal with the huge demographic changes facing us and the increases in demand from an ageing population.

“While the Government promotes the fact that they’ve put in place lots of measures and processes, such as waiting time targets, it’s often forgotten that behind every waiting time breach, is a person who needs treatment and safe, effective care. It’s all about people and having enough staff, beds and other resources to meet people’s needs.  And if, as the Government claims, it is sorting out the processes and systems, why are we seeing the headlines of the last three months about pressures on beds and patients being moved from one ward to another or having to wait on trolleys for treatment? The reality is that nurses and all other healthcare staff working on the frontline are trying to do their best, but there are just not enough staff, enough beds or enough resources within the system to deal with the increase in patients.  With the launch of the unscheduled action plan yesterday (Monday), this will require more nurses and other healthcare staff and we would therefore urge those boards still cutting to think again about what they’re proposing.  Each patient is a person who deserves to be treated by staff who have enough time to care for them safely and effectively. “

ENDS

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Notes to editors

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the world’s largest professional organisation and trade union for nursing staff, with members in the NHS, independent and voluntary sectors. RCN Scotland promotes patient and nursing interests by campaigning on issues that affect our members, shaping national health policies, representing members on practice and employment issues and providing members with learning and development opportunities.  With around 39,000 members in Scotland, we are the voice of nursing.