A new UNISON survey reveals today (Tuesday 10 December) that almost two thirds (64.5%) of NHS workers say they have faced staffing cuts at work and more than half (55%) believe these cuts significantly impacted on patient care and safety.
It also found that two in five of those surveyed believe the service they provide is at risk of privatisation.
The survey of NHS workers includes nurses, midwives, paramedics, technical and social care staff, working predominantly in hospitals.
One UNISON member working as a housekeeper on a ward said: “It is very difficult for us to keep standards of cleanliness high due to cutbacks. Also, there are not enough trained nurses or nursing assistants.
When I’m providing the food and drink service I often see that patients need assistance but I do not have the time to assist them and I can’t get a nurse either because of nursing cutbacks.”
Another said: “There are less and less people around to answer call bells, check patients, make sure there are no patients with wet beds and ensure basic needs are met.”
UNISON head of health, Christina McAnea, said:
‘This is another sign of the devastating impact of the Government’s cuts on our NHS. Our members are yet again ringing the alarm bell as this false economy has already started to cost lives.
“The Government has worked hard to create an artificial split between so-called ‘frontline’ workers and staff in ‘back-office’ positions. But we know this is only in a bid to justify outsourcing part of the NHS.
“Truth is the success of the health service relies on a strong qualified workforce which includes all health staff making part of one healthcare team.
“Nurses, paramedics and consultants couldn’t do their jobs without ward clerks, porters, cleaners, cooks, medical secretaries and administrative staff.
“Cutting these pivotal roles will only result in more pressure on existing staff, longer waiting times, lower levels of cleanliness, poorer quality of care which will all as a result put patients at risk.
“Our members’ workloads are spiralling out of control and this is impacting on their ability to provide safe and compassionate care.
“Unlike this Government, our priority is to make sure the NHS is safe for staff and patients.”
The survey also revealed that teamwork was alive and well in UK hospitals as almost all (95.6%) those surveyed felt it was important to work as one team caring for patients.
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