Former Perth consultant tells of NHS 'climate of fear'
A respected former senior consultant from Perth Royal Infirmary has lifted the lid on the low morale and climate of fear which is threatening to rip apart the NHS.
- By Dave Lord
- Published in the Courier : 30.07.10
- Published online : 30.07.10 @ 07.35am
John Blair, who worked at the hospital for 25 years, said staff shortages and budget cuts are being exacerbated by unnecessary layers of bureaucracy and top heavy management structures.
He spoke exclusively to The Courier after we outlined proposals to launch an in-depth probe into the state of the NHS.
With fears over future funding, dirty wards and question marks over the quality of care on offer, some have suggested the service is in a critical condition.
Mr Blair admits the picture is far from rosy but insists all is not lost.
"In my opinion, and in that of many colleagues, the biggest thing which can be done to cut costs and to obtain a better hospital service is to get rid of the multitude of managers," he told The Courier.
"I saw this coming before I took early retirement when I phoned a lady senior nursing officer about a problem on the wards and she replied, ‘Mr Blair, I am a nursing manager, I have no time to go on to the wards.' "
Mr Blair clearly feels such a response underlines the problems facing the NHS.
He also said one did not have to look far for a graphic illustration of the issue.
"The whole end block of PRI was once used as A&E, outpatient clinics and X-ray," he explained.
"Since managers appeared, every room is occupied by a manager."
Mr Blair retired in 1990 but continued active work with the British Medical Association at both local and national level until recently.
Over the years, he has seen a steady increase in bureaucracy — and an attendant decrease in morale.
Mr Blair described how many nurses were becoming increasingly concerned over their job security instead of being left to concentrate on caring for their patients.
"I was in PRI recently and two senior nurses spoke to me," he continued.
"They remembered me from the pre-manager NHS days. They were anxious about nurses losing their jobs.
"Both also feared the managers who run the show in numbers far in excess of what is needed will make the decisions.
"They said the managers would ensure they could keep their office jobs but reduce nursing staff."
Mr Blair suggested the NHS — created with the motto "from cradle to grave" — should introduce a new slogan of "get the managers off our backs."
"Medical hospital staff now have to spend hours filling in boxes. Their morale is bad and many now look for early retirement," he said.
"I know for a fact many people within the health service feel the same but are loath to say so publicly."
08.28am - 30.07.2010 John Irvine - Dundee, UK Report This
An Excellent Article! As primary care health workers, these days we are constantly badgered by "managers" to "do this and do that!"...none of which benefit patients! Money is being sucked out of the NHS by highly paid managers both in the community and in the hospitals! Sack most of them i say!
09.39am - 30.07.2010 docdoc - Dundee, uk Report This
I'm a consultant in Tayside. The management is actually generally very good. Problems arise when they have to enact daft initiatives from government such as the endless twaddle on diversity monitoring and appraisal! Not sure where this article is heading as services in Tayside are excellent!
10.41am - 30.07.2010 Consultant - Dundee, UK Report This
Like docdoc I'm a Tayside Consultant. In my field, the management are also supportive of the clinical staff. However, management time is wasted reponding to government 'initiatives'. If these 'headline-grabbing ideas' stopped then the NHS could concentrate on NHS core business - healthcare..
12.49pm - 30.07.2010 Joppie - Dundee, UK Report This
Considering the ward closure at Victoria and the lack of information being given to the staff and to charge nurses from other hospitals, like Quenn Margarets, I am not in the least bit surprised by this article.
12.55pm - 30.07.2010 Robbie - Carnoustie, Scotland Report This
lets have more fat (sorry-obese) managers!
04.38pm - 30.07.2010 docdoc - Dundee, UK Report This
Anyway this chap hasn't worked at the coal face of the NHS since 1990! My impression would be that services in this area are better than ever and again I would reiterate that it is the politicans rather than the managers who are the real problem.
06.38pm - 30.07.2010 Run Down Nurse - Perth, United Kingdom Report This
Just Take a look at the PRI staff carparks at the weekend. They are empty! Who is parking here durning the week? It is not Nursing Staff! We Have 4 levels of Managment above domestic cleaning staff!
08.02am - 31.07.2010 Debbie - Dundee, UK Report This
There are now apparently 4 or 5 layers of managers between Consultants/GPs/nurses and the board of NHS Tayside! Why? There should be 2 layers at the most like many years ago when things ran a lot better! This would save money and make the system much more streamlined! We need to act now!
11.23pm - 01.08.2010 Senior nurse - The County, uk Report This
Look at a story about bank staff usage.If these staff were not used wards would grind to a standstill.Managers do not have a clue and basically tell staff to get on with it which they do as their concerns are for patients not budgets.NHS Tayside wastes millions every year on so called "Projects"
01.53pm - 02.08.2010 Bud Ice - Edinburgh, Scotland Report This
I agree with docdoc + consultant. Reduce the about of data the Scottish Government demands + there will be no need for small armies to collect, enter, check + submit data. Stop inventing more + more initiatives (e.g. Quality Strategy)+ using expensive agencies (IHI) + concentrate on Healthcare.
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