 |
Press release: NHS Employers' response to the RCN report Our NHS - today and tomorrow16 Apr 2007 Steve Barnett, Director of NHS Employers said: "The NHS is evolving at a great pace and there is no doubt that this is having a major impact on its staff. But it isn't just about finances - the drive to provide more care in the community, re-structuring, new technology and the increasing role of private providers are also affecting the way NHS staff care for patients. "Employers have been looking at how they use their staff most effectively and in some cases this has resulted in loss of posts and a small number of redundancies but very few of clinical staff. We have been working closely with those employers facing the biggest financial challenges to help them minimise the impact on their workforce and on patient care. It is wrong to assume that where the number of posts is being reduced patient care will suffer. In many case the reductions are happening because employers are looking at how care can be better provided around the needs of patients. "We also know that some newly qualified nurses are finding it hard to find their first job and this is of concern to us all. It is in everyone's interests to ensure that these nurses are working where they are needed most - on the front line, caring for patients. We are already working closely with the RCN and the other NHS trade unions and the Department of Health through the new Social Partnership Forum to identify job opportunities for new nurses. This is a priority of the forum and we have just published a joint action plan which calls on employers from across sectors, unions and higher education bodies to work together and presents them with some practical suggestions to tackle this problem. "We must not underestimate the challenge facing employers locally in providing the best possible care to patients in a changing NHS but we can only address the issues raised by the RCN's report if everyone who has an interest in the NHS workforce works together to support it. I am encouraged by the commitment to working together that I have seen from all sides. It is only through a partnership approach that we can do the best for the NHS workforce and for its patients." Dr Gill Morgan, Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation said: "Whilst the severest deficits are concentrated in a relatively small number of NHS organisations, many trusts have faced challenges this year. There are clearly tough times ahead for a minority of NHS trusts, but overall the NHS is getting back on track." Notes for editors
Contact detailsThe press office provides a comprehensive service to keep journalists informed about the work of NHS Employers. If you have a media enquiry, please contact the press office team:
For out of hours media enquiries, please contact the duty press officer on 07880 500726. Last reviewed 16 Apr 2007 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
