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Indeed, and that is not the answer, any more than depleting other countries of their much needed staff is. The whole attitude of NHS management, from the top down, needs to change, but the institution has never been interested in listening to the views or experiences of either its staff or patients. If it ever did, then the necessary improvements might occur, but I won’t hold my breath.
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The worst, and unforgivable thing about this situation is that it was entirely predictable. Those of us working as NHS nurses knew that when governments of both parties started to slash bed numbers from the late 1970’s onwards, despite the known demographic of an ageing population, as well as a population that is increasing in numbers year on year, then this was a recipe for disaster. Added to this is the fact that staff have been put under unbearable pressure ever since then to fulfil government targets that are unattainable, and are not able to give the care that they were trained to give, leading to burnout. My colleagues and I often said that we had given our lives to the NHS, but it would not be there for us when we needed it, although we have all been surprised by the speed at which this has happened . Staff shortages will continue until the NHS learns to treat its staff well, as it is an extremely poor employer. From the point of view of working at the sharp end in a dangerously understaffed NHS, I am so glad that I am retired.
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Partha Kar: We need a pause to assess safety concerns surrounding Physician Associates
in Workforce and resources
Posted
What an excellent, measured article. As a retired RN, I am very concerned by the proliferation of non - doctor roles creeping into the NHS. As indicated, CNS’s attached to specialities are in a different category. Surely, all of those carrying out these roles need to be supervised closely. I correctly diagnosed my husband’s first DVT at a weekend - not that I feel all that competent to diagnose, but I nursed for 40 years, so encountered the presentation of many a DVT during that time. In order to get him some medical attention, I took him to our local DGH to some sort of drop - in service, where he saw a Nurse Practitioner who decided that it wasn't a DVT. Fortunately none of the clot broke off before the Monday, when he saw a GP who confirmed my suspicions and started him on treatment. Our GP practice already has a paramedic attached to it, as well as at least one Nurse Practitioner. I believe that the public is being short - changed, because whatever function these roles were intended to fulfil originally, inevitably this function becomes distorted and exploited, and they are used as a substitute for a qualified doctor. I find it extremely worrying.