A survey published by UNISON reports that 2/3 of nurses working at the National Health Service in England do not have enough time with their patients. With half of NHS nurses taking care of 8 patients per day it's clear they are overworked and understaffed.
One nurse commented:
The major theme coming out of the survey is that demand for nursing services outstrips the supply of nurses.“My department is running at VERY UNSAFE levels due to inadequate staffing.”
In response to this nursing shortage, union boss Gail Adams pleaded:
"The Coalition Government needs to face up to the damage it is inflicting on patients and staff, by not introducing legally enforceable nurse to patient ratios, and take urgent action.”A legal dictate which increases the nurse to patient ratio would reduce the workload of existing nurses. But this is a local solution to a global problem.
Adams is totally ignoring both halves of the real issue which is that supply of nursing services is not keeping pace with patient demand. Basic math tells us that to create a balance there needs to be an increase in nursing services, a decrease in patient demand or a combination of the two.
My proposal? Anyone in England who wants to offer nursing services should not be interfered with by the state. Anyone in England who wishes to contract for nursing services should be free to do so.
Finally, a voluntary-market for healthcare services makes politicians, NHS and taxes redundant.
