'A damned disgrace' — nurse challenges NHS bosses to work a shift at Victoria Hospital
NHS Fife bosses have been challenged to put on uniforms and work a shift to see for themselves the ''nightmare'' faced by nurses at Kirkcaldy's Victoria Hospital.
- By Claire Warrender
- Published in the Courier : 21.02.12
- Published online : 21.02.12 @ 09.54am
The gauntlet has been thrown down by a frustrated staff nurse who claims stressed colleagues are often seen crying at their work.
The comments follow an interview in Saturday's Courier where NHS Fife operational division chief executive John Wilson and director of nursing Caroline Inwood urged staff to report any difficulties they are experiencing at the newly-opened £170 million wing.
They acknowledged the pressures staff are under, but described as frustrating the fact they have been reporting problems directly to the press rather than to managers with the power to resolve them.
Mr Wilson said the ''teething problems'' are a result of settling into a new environment and denied there is a shortage of nurses and doctors.
The nurse who contacted The Courier on Monday was the latest in a string of staff members and patients who claim to have had a bad experience at the hospital.
He said he and his colleagues are too frightened to flag issues up to management in case they lose their jobs.
Claims of overworked nurses, patients left on trolleys in corridors for up to 14 hours and staff forced to dry elderly patients with pillow cases instead of towels have been made since the new wing opened last month.
''Every word these people are phoning in about is true,'' said the man. ''Mr Wilson denies there is a shortage of nurses, but that's been a big issue all along.
''One staff nurse has up to eight patients to look after when they should have about four. If you have a seriously ill patient you're not able to look after the others properly.''
The nurse claimed colleagues are regularly working 12½-hour shifts without a break.
''In what other job would you have to do that?'' he said. ''I would like to challenge Mr Wilson and Ms Inwood to put on a uniform and do a shift along with us.''
Adding that the situation had gone beyond a joke, he added: ''I've actually seen my colleagues crying at their work because they can't cope, and it breaks my heart. I've never seen so many staff so low and depressed and if I was a patient going in there I would be worried.''
Responding to Mr Wilson's call to report issues directly to management, the nurse said that is not an option for most staff.
''Managers are not interested. They are just saying there is no extra staff and it's totally ridiculous.
''Incident reports are going into them every day and nothing is coming of them. We're not going to speak to them directly because they would have us out the door in a minute.''
The nurse also confirmed previous reports that staff had been instructed not to tell patients and relatives the extent of the problems experienced at the Victoria.
''We've been told not to tell relatives anything and that it will quieten down, but I'll not hold back. If any relatives ask me anything I'll tell them. It's all about beds and budgets rather than people and it's a damned disgrace.''
NHS Fife insisted it was impossible to respond to anonymous claims and again urged staff to report concerns in a confidential manner.
Adding that senior staff had worked alongside frontline staff throughout the move of services, a spokeswoman said clinical nurse managers had spent extensive hours in clinical settings to ensure staffing levels are sufficient.
She added that breaks are scheduled and staff are expected to take all breaks to which they are entitled.
Mr Wilson told The Courier: ''There are a number of routes available to staff where concerns can be raised. We would ask staff in the first instance to raise any issues with supervisors or heads of department.
''If, however, staff do not wish to do this they can contact our human resources team, staff-side representative or trade union. Members of the operational division executive team, including myself, can also be contacted by staff.
''We do take staff concerns very seriously and want our staff to talk to us directly so that we can tackle any areas where there are issues. NHS Fife's employee director and director of human resources are hosting a series of open meetings shortly to listen further to staff views.''
10.03am - 21.02.2012 joppie - dundee, uk Report This
My girlfriend works at Victoria and she's been telling me this for months. But she won't say anything publicly for fear of repurcussions and you only have to look at what has happened to previous NHS whistelblowers in England to understand their fears. Management don't have a clue!!
10.16am - 21.02.2012 John - Dunfermline, Scotland Report This
Why don't NHS Fife just hold their hands up and admit that they made a big mistake by centralising all acute services at the Victoria... and seriously think about moving services back to the Queen Margaret for the benefit of both staff and patients.
10.25am - 21.02.2012 nurse - Dundee, UK Report This
Its a similar situation throughout the NHS and its sometimes the only way that managers will act if the press become involved.Managers do not care about their staff ,only meeting targets and ensuring audits and figures are up to date. The NHS is a joke!
11.26am - 21.02.2012 Mrs Hacket off - GlenRothes, Fife Report This
The problem always comes down to money . Pulling staff from one place to make up another ! More nursing staff , more laundry staff and working managers that will get sleeves up and come down to our workings and see . Patient care is all we should care about.
11.28am - 21.02.2012 anonymous - Kirkcaldy, Scotland Report This
More excuses, there has been no planning for the winter, the unfunded beds are dangerous. Stop thinking up excuses and start solving the problems, you do your job and the nurses will do theirs, the patients are the priority not the managements feelings. Get on with it.
02.50pm - 21.02.2012 Thornindaside - perth, scotland Report This
Seems like a lot of mis interpretation going on if staff claim to be reporting to management yet the head high up ones appear to think staff are bypassing their manager and going directly to the press.I suppose constructive critism has no place in' stastics says we all work hard as a team BFF world
10.11pm - 21.02.2012 anon. - Fife, UK Report This
No shortage of nurses or doctors - Is that why my wife has had numerous requests to cancel her leave, work long shifts and constantly exceeds her contracted hours to ensure a ward is staffed sufficiently. Face facts, Senior Management don't care about about staff or patients - only targets being met
10.33pm - 21.02.2012 anonymous - Kirkcaldy, Scotland Report This
As a Vic nurse, all the bad press is hurtful & not helpful to staff morale. Some managers were in uniform helping with the moves, but not since. We often struggle to get bank staff to cover shortfalls, especially with extra beds opening to accomodate so many admissions. We do try to do a good job!
02.29pm - 22.02.2012 finn - West Lothian, UK Report This
stop moaning and get working
09.21am - 23.02.2012 Peter - Dunfermline, Scotland Report This
I would suggest some of those who post as 'Anon' are fearful of repercussions from this greatly under pressure and inadequate hospital management!
Add a comment