Trusts Must Refocus Attention On Their Patients, UK

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 10 Apr 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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UNISON, the UK's largest public sector union, is calling on Trusts to refocus on delivering for patients, following the release of the latest Healthcare Commission Staff Survey. The survey found that less than half (46%) of staff believed that the care of patients was their Trust's top priority.

Karen Jennings, UNISON Head of Health, said:

"It seems obvious that patients must be the top priority for Trusts, but this survey shows that less than half of NHS staff feel this is the case in their hospital. Trusts must refocus attention on their patients and away from competition and privatisation. The growth of the private sector, marketing and financial targets are having a damaging impact on the way hospitals are run.

"The survey shows that there is a breakdown in the relationship between NHS staff and senior managers with 23% reporting a lack of involvement in decision-making. Around three quarters of staff said that they were not valued by their trusts and this was the most common reason given for wanting to leave their jobs.

Once again the survey throws up disturbing levels of violence and UNISON is calling for urgent action to stem attacks on NHS workers. Karen Jennings said:

"Once again, the number of staff reporting physical violence and harassment remains depressingly high. The frankly shocking figures show that there has been no real decrease in those who have personally experienced being attacked by patients or their relatives."

The survey reveals that around 36,000 staff suffer needlestick injuries every year. UNISON is also urging hospitals to introduce safer needles as injuries can have devastating consequences on those affected and their families:

Karen Jennings, added:

"The number of needlestick injuries remains a blight on the NHS and should not be allowed to continue, when safer needles are readily available. There are around 36,000 injuries a year and each one represents months, possibly years of pain, distress and illness. An injury can have devastating consequences leading to costly and stressful tests for life-threatening diseases such as hepatitis, HIV and Aids."

http://www.unison.org.uk