Tuesday 7 November 2017

Mustn't forget



In amidst all their 'Paradise Papers' stuff,/ their race-obsessed arts guff,/ and their self-promoting puff/ (over their new George Orwell statue), tonight's BBC News at Six did manage to find space for a bit of full-on negativity about Brexit. 

Now, from reading other (non-BBC) reports about the claims from NHS Providers today it's clear that the BBC was reflecting their negativity about Brexit too. But still, this felt like pretty unremitting stuff from Hugh Pym here:
Newsreader: Staff shortfalls are now the biggest single risk facing NHS hospitals in England. The group representing health trusts says recruitment and retention of NHS staff is lagging behind patient demand and is leaving existing workers on what it calls "the edge of safety." The Government insists it's launched the biggest ever training programme for doctors and nurses. Our health editor, Hugh Pym, reports. Hugh Pym: Intolerable pressures on front-line NHS staff and severe workforce shortages, that's life on the front-line, according to the group representing hospitals and other Trusts in England. Saffron Cordery, NHS Providers: I think they are now working on the edge of safe services. We are seeing so much pressure on the front-line. So what we've got to do is make sure that we can really manage that demand, but also increase the workforce. Hugh PymAnd here at Kingston Hospital, in south-west London, they say uncertainty over what Brexit means for EU staff has added to the workforce problem. Kelvin Cheatle, Director of Workforce, Kingston Hospital: So the worry is the turnover of staff, the loss of the skilled, experienced people we have, but also the supply lines for the future of making sure we can recruit people, therapists, nurses, doctors from the EU. Can we attract them in, in this very unstable environment? Hugh PymIncluding nurses, doctors and support staff, Kingston Hospital employs 3,000 people. Last year, 460 staff were EU nationals. This year, that's fallen to 384, though the Trust says it's managed to fill the gap from elsewhere. I met some members of staff at the hospital affected in different ways by Brexit. Female hospital staff member: I've had colleagues in tears... Hugh Pym: They believe they haven't so far had strong enough assurances to make them feel secure about their status. Giuseppe Pichierri, Consultant, Kingston Hospital: I'm concerned about how things are going to develop, how things are going to be decided in the future, what the deadline is going to be in order to apply for settled status. So, yes, there are lots of questions still hanging around at the moment. And, yes, I am concerned. I'm concerned for the rest of my family. Hugh PymThe Department of Health said nurse and doctor training was being increased and the future of EU nationals was a top priority in the Brexit talks, so their valued contribution to the NHS could continue. Hugh Pym, BBC News. 
Whatever, I don't think Lord Adonis will be complaining about that one!

2 comments:

  1. Yes, I was beginning to worry the BBC were losing focus... :) That's the problem with these wars on several fronts...And those whom the gods wish to destroy first make mad...I think the BBC's Trumpophobia is now bordering on a clinical condition.

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