EXCLUSIVE: Hundreds of Staff Shortage Complaints At NHS Lanarkshire

By Connor Gillies Clyde News can exclusively reveal NHS Lanarkshire has received hundreds of complaints from its own workers about staff shortages. The stats which we have obtained reveal employees raised concerns 675 times in the space of just 12 months.

Our reporter Connor Gillies has the details: All incidents are recorded on NHS Lanarkshire's electronic reporting system, DATIX and the number we have relates to the period between 1 December 2013 and 30 November 2014.

Philip Coghill from the Royal College of Nursing in Scotland said: "Patients tell us they don't see the same nurse every time, they may wait for periods of time for medication to be dispensed. If they need assistance with anything it may take longer for anything to happen. When it is done and how it is done is affected by the numbers of available nurses." A spokesperson for the health board said trends are reviewed closely and information on areas of specific concern are escalated to senior management

Mr Coghill added: "I'm not surprised that staff have raised concerns about staffing. I might go further to say that our members have been in touch with us on a regular basis about this issue and perhaps there is still a degree of under reporting"

"We have had staff report to us that they have chosen to retire early or leave and go to other areas because of the pressures they have personally experienced. It does indicate there is pressure on frontline nursing staff"

"We have had staff describe to us that they felt there was a crisis. We have worked with those staff and those managers to look for solutions".

NHS Lanarkshire said additional funding (£5m) for additional nursing was approved by the Board, an element of which is drawn from the concerns raised about staffing levels in specific areas.

Calum Campbell, Chief Executive of NHS Lanarkshire, said: “Staffing levels on each site are reviewed on daily basis to ensure we are providing a safe, quality service for our patients.

“We actively encourage staff to record any incident or occasion where they are concerned about the way in which care is provided in Lanarkshire, including issues around staffing.

“Feedback from staff is vital in identifying issues at an early stage. This allows us to investigate and review each incident and address any issues quickly and effectively."