Complaints rocket against NHS Borders

David Knox • Published 28 Oct 2011 09:30 1 Comment

NHS BORDERS broke records last year - for the number of complaints made against it.

Figures released by the Scottish Government reveal the Newstead-based authority received a total of 236 complaints during 2010/11 - 20 more than its previous worst year.

Patients and their families hit out 75 times about staff, 89 times about treatments as well 35 objections to the cleanliness and environment of wards and surgeries.

The Borders health authority received only 149 complaints during 2008-09, but that figure rocketed to 216 for the following year.

And this year's number of complaints jumped even further.

MSP Christine Grahame said: "The figures are disappointing and I hope NHS Borders take on board these complaints.

"One thing that is encouraging, is that people are now more willing to complain. In the past when people were unhappy they would often just keep quiet."

During the year up to April, NHS Borders slashed its workforce by 96 - with 43 posts going in nursing and midwifery - to meet budget demands.

And further savings are being enforced on every department of NHS Borders.

Local Unison spokeswoman Agnes Craig believes there is a connection between recent cut backs and the rise in complaints.

The union activist told the Peeblesshire News : "When you have a workforce that are under a lot of pressure you can expect an increase in the number of complaints.

"Staffing levels are being reduced and money is trying to be saved across the board."

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This article appeared in Peeblesshire News 28 Oct 11

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  Jock T. Bairn
  12 posts
  Oct 29, 17:22
  Report comment

  My admiration of NHS staff is rivalled in scale only by my disgust at the way in which our diamond-standard health services are being reduced to a sickening symbiosis of third world standards and corporatist wet dream.
  
  If you have to complain; do so. It's the only way the people at the sharp end can quantify the effects of privatisation, and vindicate their insistence that more staff and more funding will improve services for everyone. But do it gently - remember that the people on the receiving end of your complaint are the very people who are trying to do a valuable public service on an average salary, and are increasingly expected to do it with their hands tied. In short, don't shout at doctors or nurses - find someone in a suit with the word 'management' in their job title and shout at them. Be sure to include the suggestion that they go and play shops somewhere else, and leave the running of the NHS to the experts. You know, the ones that wear white coats and uniforms.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 19     No 6

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