Sep 15 2004
An ICM poll, commissioned jointly by UNISON and the NHS Confederation, shows that the public believe that only half of NHS staff are directly involved in patient care, yet the real figure is 84%. Support staff make up just 16% of the workforce.
Gross exaggeration and political criticism has led to this reality gap in the publics’ mind over the number of support staff employed in the NHS, according to UNISON and the NHS Confederation.
A similar poll earlier this year found that more than half of those surveyed thought managers make up more than 20% of the NHS workforce, when in reality they account for only 4% of health service staff.
Dr Gill Morgan, NHS Confederation chief executive, said "Accusations that the NHS is awash with “pen-pushers” is not only misleading the public, it is damaging the morale of hard-working staff. Were launching a campaign to say enough is enough. It is time to end the bureaucrat bashing and to look at the real people whose jobs make a real difference to patients."
Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary said: "No one wants to see nurses and doctors waste valuable time and training tied up with paperwork instead of being out on the wards looking after patients. An organisation the size of the NHS, treating millions of patients a year, must have effective managerial, clerical and administrative staff to take away the burden.
“Sadly it seems to be the hunting season for Labour and the Tories as they try to out-tough each other over the number of support jobs they will cut in the NHS - ignoring the fact these are real jobs, done by real people with real benefits to patients.”
A new report aimed at counteracting these myths, "Completing the Picture", is being published today by UNISON and the NHS Confederation, which explains the roles and responsibilities of managers and support staff in the NHS. Based on real-life profiles of staff from chief executives to ward clerks, they show the vital contribution these workers make to the health service and to the quality of care patients receive.