Aghast to learn of plans to cut nurses

Published 30 Apr 2009 09:00 0 Comments

Dear Sir, - As someone with only a passing interest in politics, it was by accident that I happened upon a debate in the Assembly last week about proposed reductions in the number of nurses in Northern Ireland

As someone who spent over 25 years in the health service, on the front line and later as a manager, I was aghast to learn what the Minister for Health, Michael McGimpsey, is planning to do to the section of the health workforce who contribute most to our health service - our nurses. His Department has recommended the axing of 722 nursing posts, with apparently no care for the impact that decimating the number of those working at the coal face will do.

I know from experience that, when nursing levels are reduced, for whatever reason, the level of infections rises in our hospitals. It is undoubtedly more difficult to control hygiene standards, and consequently incidents of infections rise. This is in no way a reflection on the nursing staff who work in such an environment - it is simply the result of inadequate staffing levels that are stretched to breaking point, not staffing standards.

I want to put on record my support for those in the DUP who tabled the motion opposing these cuts and others who opposed the cuts proposed by Minister McGimpsey. I was disgusted at the UUP for failing to back the motion and protecting their Minister rather than nurses.

Rather than cut front line services, the Minister should be tackling the bureaucracy and waste which is smothering our Health Service. This is the real efficiency savings to be made. The proposals to reduce nursing levels are cuts which do not tackle the core problems of inefficiency. The Minister knows this yet fails to act. He must though remember that we, the patient, will judge him on this failure.

Yours,

Retired National Health Servant

Monea

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This letter appeared in Impartial Reporter 30 Apr 09

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