Barts

[JM]

Has anybody read this?  Worrying.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/jul/17/barts-health-trust-lo...

The most depressing parts of this article, for me, are:

'Barts Health in London is preparing to announce plans that could see staff cut and services curtailed or dropped to help balance its books. [... ]  Barts Health is bringing in management consultants to help it achieve this and avoid going into administration.'

So they'll spend £100Ks on Mgt Consultants and cuts doctors and nurses posts.

'... according to its chief executive, Peter Morris, [Barts is] at risk of "financial failure".'

Better than clinical failure surely?

'The trust has run into trouble as a result of greater demand on its A&E service [...], overspending by key departments and a decline in patient numbers.'

Not sure I understand how a 'decline in patient numbers' and 'greater demands on A&E' - presumably by greater numbers of patients? - marry up.

'Attempts to cut wage costs are failing because of vacancies having to be filled by bank and agency staff. The trust warns "a large number of posts" must be go.'

'In a candid email to staff, Morris said: "We are in the business of providing high-quality safe care and just like all businesses, whether in the public or private sector, we need to be a financially stable organisation. Currently we are not.'

Since when did the NHS become a business?  Oh yes, of course, since 2010.

[Maria Elizabeth Prior]

I agree, Jean, this is worrying.  My elderly mum, who is 78, does voluntary work at Bart's twice a week, and has given a lot of her time for many years, in working in the gift shop, and, more recently, assisting patients who attend as outpatients.  She has given so much to this hospital, but those that tell the volunteers what to do are the ones on the payroll!  Many sit in their offices, so maybe it's a case of 'too many chiefs, and not enough indians', if you know what I mean!

[Steve Daszko]

A very depressing article.  Let`s hope that Barts continues to run ok eh?