Apr 10 2008
UNISON is calling on NHS trusts across England to refocus on patients, after the government's health watchdog revealed the findings of its latest staff survey.
The poll of 156,000 NHS staff shows that fewer than half think caring for patients is the top priority in their workplace.
Karen Jennings, UNISON head of health, said: “It seems obvious that patients must be the top priority for trusts, but the Healthcare Commission survey shows that less than half of NHS staff feel this is the case in their hospital.
“Trusts must refocus attention on their patients and away from competition and privatisation,” she warned, adding: “The growth of the private sector, marketing and financial targets are having a damaging impact on the way hospitals are run.”
Around three-quarters of staff said they were not valued by their trusts; this was the most common reason given for wanting to leave their jobs.
The survey also throws up disturbing levels of violence –urgent action is needed to stem the attacks, said Ms Jennings.
“Once again, the number of staff reporting physical violence and harassment remains depressingly high. The frankly shocking figures show that there has been no real decrease in those who have personally experienced being attacked by patients or their relatives.”
Safer needles are on the union's radar too; the survey shows around 36,000 staff suffer potentially devastating needlestick injuries every year.
“The number of needlestick injuries remains a blight on the NHS and should not be allowed to continue when safer needles are readily available,” said Ms Jennings.
Each injury represents months, perhaps years, of pain, illness and distress, she said, and leads to costly and stressful tests for life-threatening diseases such as hepatitis, HIV and Aids.