A leading nursing union said a fixation on short-term cost-cutting has devastated staff morale and led to the belief saving money is more important than patient care.
The Scottish Parliament’s Public Audit Committee will meet in Dundee on Thursday to discuss the financial crisis at Tayside Health Board.
It has to find savings of £58 million this year and may record a deficit of £18.6 million if it fails to do so. It has required loans from the Scottish Government to break even in each of the past four years.
Management will be quizzed by MSPs in Dundee while union representatives will also give evidence to the committee.
In a written submission, The Royal College of Nursing has condemned managers and accused them of focusing on short-term savings rather than long-term planning, to the detriment of services and staff.
The report states: “The lack of long-term planning and oversight has led to a financial crisis but the lack of strategic decision-making and response to changing circumstances over a prolonged period of time has also had a significant impact on shaping services and setting the culture within NHS Tayside.”
It continues: “The culture within NHS Tayside has tended to be top-down and divisive as a result of managers being placed under enormous pressure to find budget efficiencies.
“At times, the RCN has been made aware of feelings that the management has been bullying members of staff.
“The focus on minute budget details and savings has a profound impact on staff morale and confidence…and a general feeling of pressure being placed on staff to find efficiencies rather than focusing on their clinical practice.”
The RCN’s submission states NHS Tayside has a record of staff working together to cope with difficult circumstances but “goodwill has been eroded because of the constant pressure on staff..”
It adds: “This has led to a breakdown between management and staff working in partnership.”
Trade union UNISON’s submission said there is, among staff, “grave concern that the burden of resolving the financial position in Tayside will lead to a direct impact on their working conditions will lead to a direct impact on their working conditions, pay and physical wellbeing.”
Professor John Connell, Chairman of NHS Tayside said: “NHS Tayside is committed to working with staff to develop health and care services.
“We are reshaping our clinical services as part of our Five-Year Transformation Programme and I have been particularly encouraged by the level of staff engagement and involvement we have had from our nurses, doctors, allied health professionals and support staff, who are actively taking the lead to progress the required service redesign for our patients and their families.
“This approach where our clinicians are leading service planning reflects our ongoing commitment to building better partnership working.
“We will work with all our partners to ensure our joint aim to provide safe, high-quality, effective care and treatment for the people of Tayside is delivered hand-in-hand with a positive staff experience.”
