The Heart to Heart Blog

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End of Term Report

by John - 10:34 on 19 December 2011

Audit Scotland has just produced what might be called an End of Term Report on the NHS in Scotland.   In its 'Overview of the NHS in Scotland’s performance 2010/11', Audit Scotland looks at the health service’s performance and financial position, and highlights current and future pressures and risks.

It is pleasing, and reassuring, to read that life expectancy in Scotland has increased and rates of deaths from coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer continue to fall.

Naturally the roport puts considerable emphasis on the financial aspects of the NHS, and reports -
"The NHS spent £12 billion in 2010/11. All health bodies met their financial targets, but ten out of the 14 territorial NHS boards have reported underlying recurring deficits. The service faces pressures from an ageing population, rising public demand and expectations, increased costs and reducing staff."

It reports that NHS Scotland - "has strategies to make the service more efficient and effective and to help improve the quality of NHS services."
The most common approach being taken to reduce costs are pay restraint and reducing workforce numbers. Many NHS bodies have already reduced staff numbers through recruitment freezes and voluntary severance schemes, with further reductions planned.

... as a patient this is where I begin to get concerned.

Whilst increased efficiencies can offset reduced staffing levels, there comes a point when that can no longer be the case and service and quality of that service and the care provided by that service must be deminished.

If not already with us, that scenario cannot be far away.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) warned of the consequences of reducing staff and its effects on patient care in Scotland.   RCN Scotland director Theresa Fyffe said: “...health boards cannot continue to save money by reducing the size of the NHS workforce, unless it wants to put at risk standards in patient care.”

Sources:  Audit Scotland - 'Overview of the NHS in Scotland

              The Scotsman

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