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Date: Friday 15 August 2008

Glasgow's nurses warn of staffing crisis on the wards Glasgow & Clyde health union

UNISON today called for urgent action to address worsening staffing levels across NHSGGC after a UNISON survey of nurses and nursing assistants showed 68% of responders believed that staffing levels for nurses in wards was worse than it was two years ago.

UNISON Branch Secretary, Cathy Miller said, "This is the first ever comprehensive survey of UNISON members who are nurses or nursing assistants working in the NHS in Glasgow and Clyde. It is clear from our members' responses that they feel that staffing levels are getting worse and that a significant majority are not confident that their line managers are able deal positively with their concerns."

The union called for employers to take action to address the staffing shortage, and said that the issue was likely to lead to other problems in the wards.

Cathy Miller said "Our nursing members work hard everyday and patient wellbeing is at the forefront of their commitment. UNISON is concerned that unless urgent action is taken to help front line staff, the situation will get worse, staff will get burned out, increasing the chances of mistakes and more outbreaks of hospital acquired infections. It may also lead to increasing numbers leaving the job. 39% said this was likely.

"NHSGGC needs to take action now to work with UNISON and other unions to improve staffing levels in key areas and to better support staff in the delivery of services."

ENDS

Notes for Editors A copy of the survey report is available from the contacts below or(later) on the branch website at http://www.unisonglasgowclyde.com UNISON surveyed every member working within NHSGGC who was identified as being a Qualified Nurse or Nursing Assistant. A survey was sent direct to their home addresses during June 08. NHSGGC employs approx 12,000 staff who are qualified or unqualified nursing staff More than 50% of this group are UNISON members

For Further Information Please Contact: Matt McLaughlin (Regional Organiser) 07904341979(m) Cathy Miller (Branch Secretary) 07738803825 (m) Chris Bartter (Communications Officer) 0771 558 3729(m)

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