A snapshot survey of UK nurses by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has found that a large majority feel sidelined and poorly informed about local NHS reforms. Almost 80% felt that the pace of change was too fast, with threequarters saying that they had little or no opportunity to give their views on changes to services. One hundred and twelve nurses responded to the online survey which was carried out over two weeks in September 2005.
Three-quarters of nurses felt that they had been poorly consulted about local NHS reforms. None of the nurses who completed the survey felt that the changes would help them to do their job better, and 58% felt that the changes would make their jobs even harder. A third had been told that their jobs could be at risk because of NHS changes and reorganisation.
A large majority (over three-quarters) felt that the reasons for change had not been explained to them, and 69% said that they thought the primary motivation for local reforms was to save money. Just under three-quarters said the most important thing now is to stop constant re-organisation and to rest and reflect.
Howard Catton, head of policy at the RCN, said: “Despite the rhetoric about partnership working our snapshot shows that in reality consultation for many nurses feels like little more than lip service. However we know that where change has been successful it is because the voices of the staff, who are responsible for delivering the service, have been listened to and acted on.”
