Heavier workloads for specialist nurses
Julie Kenwell • Published 21 Apr 2011 13:30
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THE increasing number of specialist roles for nurses across the Western Trust has in turn brought heavier workloads and greater pressures for community nursing, according to a Belleek GP.
Dr. Eugene Deeny told the latest meeting of the Local Commissioning Group (LCG) for the Health and Social Care Board (HSC) there was a perception that the increasing workload was falling on an "ever reducing number of generic nurses".
He made his comments as the topic of a pending Review into District Nursing was discussed.
The Review, commissioned by the Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland will consider the future direction and development of the service in Northern Ireland.
It's overall aim is to develop a framework for practice which supports the delivery of "robust effective district nursing services within an integrated health and social care system".
During a presentation at the meeting by Siobhan McIntyre, Regional Lead Nurse Consultant with the Public Health Agency (PHA), LCG members heard that the need for change related to a changing demography, within the context of the current economic situation and increasing demand on public services -- in particular from an ageing population.
Mrs. McIntyre said that since people were living longer, there was now a greater demand for related services as part of their treatment and pathways of care.
And whilst the HSC must keep pace with demand, this needs to be achieved within available resources, requiring new ways of working.
She said an online questionnaire had been produced and sent to GP practices across Northern Ireland in order to get an idea of what was working and what wasn't currently in the service.
But Dr. Deeny said he had been surprised that concerns over nurses' workloads had not been flagged up in the results.
This could be due to the poor response rate for the questionnaire, which, according to Mrs McIntyre, was completed by only 12 respondents.
"What was clear through the questionnaire is that there is a need for a robust ICT system to support the work of the District Nurse, how they can link in with GPs, how their activity is captured and there needs to be an improved information flow," said Mrs. McIntyre, "There is a severe lack of ICT support for nurses at present. They should be able to have mobile technology with them so they can do their work more efficiently and cut down on paper work. There has also been a great emphasis on health promotion and community based alternatives. Individuals managing their own health and wellbeing so they can stay at home rather than in hospital."
With the report nearing completion and ready to go to consultation, Mrs. McIntyre stressed the importance that all stakeholders feed into it.
"The responses to the electronic questionnaire were poor so there needs to be a proactive engagement when it goes to consultation."
Raising concerns for staff morale at present, Carrickmore GP, Dr. Kieran Deeny said he feared additional workloads could leave nurses within the Western Trust feeling "exhausted".
"Our District Nurses provide a wonderful service but I am concerned about their morale -- this applies to the West in general," he said, "I heard one Senior Officer say they are expecting a 20 per cent additional workload for nurses who are already working very long shifts."
Mrs. McIntyre conceded there had been concerns that jobs would be lost in the system and that in particular, nursing jobs would be slashed through efficiency measures.
She assured members however that focus was being placed on protecting the workforce.
"What has continually been voiced is the importance of protecting frontline services and that has been taken on board."
Western Trust representative Kathleen Crossan agreed that staff were under "great pressures" and that the changes within District Nursing were "very demanding".
"When I think back too my own practice, it is unrecognisable to the way things are today," she said, "But we have a fantastic range of training and regular team meetings and I would like to think that District Nurses are still very upbeat and ready to take on what's ahead of them.
"We certainly have considered posts when nurses are coming up on retirement and posts have not been removed, despite what the perception may be."
Derry GP, Dr. Martin McCloskey said he hoped the review would highlight issues within the current service.
"I have been fortunate enough to have worked with excellent District Nurses over the years. It has been one of the highlights of my work, but I do think there are issues. This Trust and the previous Trust neglected our District Nurses -- there was a lack of investment over a long period of time. No matter what is said I know on the ground District Nurses feel the increase in specialised nurses means another layer of people dumping on them and I feel it's important to remember that District Nurses are the back bone to the service."
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 21 Apr 11
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