“The government’s massive disorganisation of the NHS is the driving force behind the growing problems in Accident and Emergency departments”, said UNISON, the UK’s largest health union.
Said Christina McAnea, UNISON head of health: “The reason that demand in A and E is out of control is because the government has torn away support in the community, dismantled NHS Direct and cut staff. Bed occupancy in hospitals is running high, so the idea of prematurely cutting beds is simply not viable and could put lives at risk.
“The elderly make up a large proportion of those seeking care, and their lifeline in the community has been severed by government cuts,” she added. “Home care services, respite care and day centres have been devastated and these areas are prime candidates for putting in early preventative measures.
“The public is being misled into thinking that the new 111 service is a mirror image of the old NHS Direct – it is not. It does not employ the same level of trained nursing support and is a checklist service that has already had some devastating consequences. This is adding to pressure on staff in already busy A and Es.”
