04/01/2007
NHS staff shortage predicted
A shortage of GPs and nurses has been predicted in four years time, although there are currently thousands of jobs being lost in order to save money, leaked government documents have revealed.
The Department of Health report revealed that nearly 37,000 jobs would be lost in the NHS this year, but by 2011, the service would be suffering a shortage of 1,200 GPs, 14,000 nurses and 1,100 junior doctors.
However, at the same time, the report said that there would 3,200 extra consultants that the NHS could not afford to pay, along with an excess of more than 16,000 other professionals such as physios and technicians.
The Royal College of Nursing said that there needed to be an end to "yo-yo policies on NHS staffing" and RCN Executive Director Janet Davis said that the document confirmed "our worst fears that the government intends to use the pay, terms and working conditions of nurses as the means by which they dig themselves out of a hole of their own making."
Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: "The financial crisis in the NHS is now driving government policy. By cynically using the tragedy of unemployment to cut pay in the NHS, Labour ministers are making hard-working doctors and nurses pay for governmental incompetence. The effect on morale will be incalculable."
Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Norman Lamb said: "The Health Secretary has kept her job whilst thousands of doctor and nursing posts are lost.
"We now have the bizarre prospect of a national shortage of nurses whilst hospital trusts are making nurses redundant because of a financial crisis."
(KMcA)
The Department of Health report revealed that nearly 37,000 jobs would be lost in the NHS this year, but by 2011, the service would be suffering a shortage of 1,200 GPs, 14,000 nurses and 1,100 junior doctors.
However, at the same time, the report said that there would 3,200 extra consultants that the NHS could not afford to pay, along with an excess of more than 16,000 other professionals such as physios and technicians.
The Royal College of Nursing said that there needed to be an end to "yo-yo policies on NHS staffing" and RCN Executive Director Janet Davis said that the document confirmed "our worst fears that the government intends to use the pay, terms and working conditions of nurses as the means by which they dig themselves out of a hole of their own making."
Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said: "The financial crisis in the NHS is now driving government policy. By cynically using the tragedy of unemployment to cut pay in the NHS, Labour ministers are making hard-working doctors and nurses pay for governmental incompetence. The effect on morale will be incalculable."
Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Norman Lamb said: "The Health Secretary has kept her job whilst thousands of doctor and nursing posts are lost.
"We now have the bizarre prospect of a national shortage of nurses whilst hospital trusts are making nurses redundant because of a financial crisis."
(KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 March 2007
'Postcode lottery' remains in NHS dental care
There are "huge regional variations" in NHS dental care in England, consumer organisation Which? has warned in new research. The survey of 466 dentistry practices - which comes a year after the start of new NHS dentists' contract in England - found that just over a third (36%) are taking on any new NHS patients.
'Postcode lottery' remains in NHS dental care
There are "huge regional variations" in NHS dental care in England, consumer organisation Which? has warned in new research. The survey of 466 dentistry practices - which comes a year after the start of new NHS dentists' contract in England - found that just over a third (36%) are taking on any new NHS patients.
11 June 2003
NHS pay reforms set to go ahead
The government and unions are to press ahead with reforms to the NHS pay system. The 'Agenda for Change' reform package includes a 10% basic pay increase over three years for all staff and, when the costs of the reform package are added in over the three-year period from 2003-2006, it will be worth an average increase of 12.5% on basic pay.
NHS pay reforms set to go ahead
The government and unions are to press ahead with reforms to the NHS pay system. The 'Agenda for Change' reform package includes a 10% basic pay increase over three years for all staff and, when the costs of the reform package are added in over the three-year period from 2003-2006, it will be worth an average increase of 12.5% on basic pay.
03 July 2006
NHS to no longer recruit junior foreign nurses
The NHS should no longer hire junior nurses from abroad, the government has announced. The role of Band 5 nurses is to be taken off the Home Office shortage occupation list. The role had been on the list in order to support international recruitment where NHS trusts have been unable to fill vacancies using UK or EEA trained staff.
NHS to no longer recruit junior foreign nurses
The NHS should no longer hire junior nurses from abroad, the government has announced. The role of Band 5 nurses is to be taken off the Home Office shortage occupation list. The role had been on the list in order to support international recruitment where NHS trusts have been unable to fill vacancies using UK or EEA trained staff.
11 May 2004
NHS staff to gain wider prescribing powers
Even more health professionals will be able to prescribe medicines under new plans announced today by Health Secretary, John Reid.
NHS staff to gain wider prescribing powers
Even more health professionals will be able to prescribe medicines under new plans announced today by Health Secretary, John Reid.
04 January 2005
Five further health trusts make foundation grade
Following approval by the independent regulatory body, five Trusts have been granted Foundation Trust status.
Five further health trusts make foundation grade
Following approval by the independent regulatory body, five Trusts have been granted Foundation Trust status.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.