1/5th of maternity budget on blunders !

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/he...-blunders.html

This is a shocking statistic.

What has gone wrong and what can we do to mend it ?

Re: 1/5th of maternity budget on blunders !

I think this has a long history in the making of our current situation. Governments have repeatedly overworked and underpaid all members of the medical teams (nurses included) and that made it an not just an unattractive profession to go into but also an undesirable one. Young people will have looked at what was on offer jobwise - why would they choose and overly demanding employer that pays a pittance for no guaranteed days off when they can work elsewhere for better pay and guaranteed holidays? Is it any wonder we have such a shortage of people.

As usualy, bad management by various governments.

It can be mended by paying them what they are worth and treating them like human beings, then there will be enough to staff our hospitals.

Re: 1/5th of maternity budget on blunders !

[QUOTE=ben-varrey;374241]I think this has a long history in the making of our current situation. Governments have repeatedly overworked and underpaid all members of the medical teams (nurses included) and that made it an not just an unattractive profession to go into but also an undesirable one. Young people will have looked at what was on offer jobwise - why would they choose and overly demanding employer that pays a pittance for no guaranteed days off when they can work elsewhere for better pay and guaranteed holidays? Is it any wonder we have such a shortage of people.

As usualy, bad management by various governments.

It can be mended by paying them what they are worth and treating them like human beings, then there will be enough to staff our hospitals.[/QUOTE]





I should think many medical staff have become totally demoralised of late.

Re: 1/5th of maternity budget on blunders !

Think of the long hours and conditions they work in and with, it's not surprising really is it. Doctors (especially junior ones) having to work more than 24 hours straight and then surprises all round when they make a mistake.

If they can afford to put £500m to one side for law suits, wouldn't it be better to have more staff working fewer hours so that mistakes are reduced?

Re: 1/5th of maternity budget on blunders !

Perhaps these things don't matter to the politicians so much because no doubt those buggers can all afford to go private!
Don't suppose there have been many times they have been left to lay on a trolley in A & E waiting all night to be seen.

Re: 1/5th of maternity budget on blunders !

I think you have a good point there Mups. Bit like soaring energy prices and then we read yesterday how MPs have financial help with their heating bills

Re: 1/5th of maternity budget on blunders !

I have always said politicians should be on NMW or the equivalent OAP pension, and have to use NHS and trains and buses etc if they did we might see a different sort of society

Re: 1/5th of maternity budget on blunders !

How I would wish for that to happen!

Re: 1/5th of maternity budget on blunders !

Exactly BV, I've always said that. It all goes on expenses, so how can they have the faintest idea what its like for us lesser mortals.

Re: 1/5th of maternity budget on blunders !

I watch MPs on things like Question Time and you know what - I don't think they care one jot. I am convinced they see us as nothing more than hamsters on the commercial wheel.