News / Nurses warn about cuts
SCOTLAND’S main nursing union has launched a national campaign to protect patients from massive cuts in the NHS budget.
The Royal College of Nursing Scotland pointed out that NHS Shetland must save at least £1.4 million this year on its new campaign website www.rcn.org.uk/frontlinefirst, part of £250 million in cost cuts nation wide.
The RCN wants nurses to come forward with suggestions about where savings can be made that will have a minimum impact on frontline services.
RCN Scotland associate director Norman Provan said: “NHS Shetland needs to save at least £1.4 million. The health board needs to think long and hard before making any cuts or changes to services as they must not take decisions now that will compromise patient care in the future.
“During such difficult financial times, health boards must listen to frontline staff in order to ensure cuts do not risk standards in patient care. That is why we are launching our Frontline First campaign and website which mean that our members can come forward with examples of where cuts are being made. They will also be asked for ideas about how money could be saved through innovation.
“Nurses are realistic about the need to tackle the severe financial challenges facing the NHS, and they know how to do it. By sharing innovative care and helping to reduce waste we can help meet these challenges. Through finding genuine efficiencies and spreading good practice we can ensure every pound spent on our NHS improves patient
care.”
Last month NHS Shetland announced they would have to lose 17 jobs as part of the savings exercise, but said that the impact on patient services would be minimal.
The equivalent of three nurses are being lost from the interim placement unit at Montfield Hospital, posts no longer required since the unit has been turned into a care home by the council. Those three positions are being absorbed where there are current vacancies.
Some administrative staff working fixed term contracts are going along with some dental trainees, though extra dental staff are being employed.
NHS Shetland has warned that further cuts will be needed and they intend to go out to public consultation later this year on the form these may take.
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