Dear Editor,
Recent reports show that more than a thousand patients a day are taking
up beds in NHS hospitals because nobody is available to look after them at
home.
The solution to the NHS crisis is more than just throwing money at the
problem – it is about careful management and spending money wisely.
In recent years the NHS has spent millions on art, and local hospitals
employ huge amounts of back end staff in non medical functions, many doing what
has been referred to as “non jobs.” Whilst cutting services and medical staff,
NHS hospitals have hired huge numbers of spin doctors, an “EU office director”
and an “arts in the hospital co-ordinator.” The NHS is currently advertising a
“Senior Media Manager” position for which they are offering an annual salary of
£53,367 – enough to hire 2 nurses for the year.
The NHS needs to be refocused upon patient care. Is it acceptable for
the NHS to lay off medical staff, shut A&Es and cut down key services but
spend millions on art and hire legions of PR staff that do nothing to deliver
frontline patient care? I don’t think so.
Jonathan Arnott MEP
UKIP, North East
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