The NHS's version of regulatory failure?

Osem · 18-03-2009, 09:07

Having set up the chocolate teapot FSA which presided over the banking crisis, many are now asking if HMG's regulatory reforms in the NHS are up to scratch:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/s...re/7949612.stm

It beggars belief that this could go on for so long apprarently unnoticed and/or unacted upon by all those costly tiers of management supposed to be overseeing such things...

Since they warned us that we had 24 hours to save the NHS more than a decade ago, I wonder if anyone from within the Government's ranks will accept responsibility for this abject failure which it appears could have led to hundreds of unnecessary deaths...

superbiatch · 18-03-2009, 09:23

I read about that yesterday and cannot understand how one establishment can have so many failings. Top management can only be the ones to blame for such a catastrohpic failing as its their job to spot it. Just like **** runs downhill in the NHS, the responsibility also goes the other way. Although I can't help feel the ground level staff may be made scapegoats

That said, I agree 100% with your comment about too many managers. I've just become part of a 100 people strong team who are positively sweating money on stupid PR campaigns and have managers on band 6, 7 and 8 (a + b). I'm sure its just jobs for the boys!

Osem · 18-03-2009, 09:47

I can't imagine that frontline staff didn't raise these issues with the appropriate managers on many occasions.

How on earth could this go on for so long??

Taf · 18-03-2009, 10:17

I wish that staffing levels at our ER were even half that of the TV soap "Casualty".. and it's the biggest hospital in the most populated city of the country!

superbiatch · 18-03-2009, 10:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osem

I can't imagine that frontline staff didn't raise these issues with the appropriate managers on many occasions.

How on earth could this go on for so long??

Who's to say they didn't raise their issues? I know things have been brought to management attention in the past and not dealt with - i hear about it all the time from friends in the acute trust

I don't know how these things could go on for so long, what was their star rating? The star rating as much of a pain in the ass it is surely would have highlighted these concerns. Or did they lie?

Ramrod · 18-03-2009, 10:40

Even I am surprised at the scale of c*ck-ups demonstrated in this case.

Its terrible....

Osem · 18-03-2009, 12:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by superbiatch

Who's to say they didn't raise their issues? I know things have been brought to management attention in the past and not dealt with - i hear about it all the time from friends in the acute trust

You misunderstand my point - I can't imagine that they didn't raise their grave concerns so why wasn't anything done by the senior managers responsible for so long??..

Pierre · 18-03-2009, 12:48

Well the lady that brought all this out in the open deserves a public service award.

Just listening to her on Radio 2.

Fine women, I hope there's more like her.

superbiatch · 18-03-2009, 13:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osem

You misunderstand my point - I can't imagine that they didn't raise their grave concerns so why wasn't anything done by the senior managers responsible for so long??..

I didn't actually, but thought I would point out to others who may be reading that this is just damn typical of the kind of stuff I hear about most days

Ramrod · 18-03-2009, 13:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by superbiatch

I would point out to others who may be reading that this is just damn typical of the kind of stuff I hear about most days

Same here.......but getting receptionists to triage patients is a new one on me

Osem · 18-03-2009, 14:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by superbiatch

I didn't actually, but thought I would point out to others who may be reading that this is just damn typical of the kind of stuff I hear about most days

In which case we're in full agreement that in all likelihood issues such as these were/are frequently reported by front line staff to senior managers who then fail to act for reasons best known to themselves and that whatever regulatory regimes are in place clearly aren't fit for purpose 12 years after Bliar started saving the NHS....

Given the seriousness of this appalling situation, I'd urge anyone reading this thread who's in any way connected to the NHS and aware of similar managerial failings in their workplace to make a point of reporting their concerns to the media before more lives are unnecessarily lost.

---------- Post added at 14:05 ---------- Previous post was at 13:51 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramrod

Same here.......but getting receptionists to triage patients is a new one on me

Me too - each time I read about this story I keep thinking it's going to turn out to be some sort of perverse wind up. How on earth could this scandal be allowed to happen and how could anyone seriously think it wouldn't be discovered sooner or later??....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/s...re/7949994.stm

It seems institutionalised negligence/ineptitude isn't the sole preserve of the FSA.