Published: Tuesday, 24th June, 2008 09:30
NURSES ‘FEAR’ TO SPEAK OUT ON C-DIFF
By Mike Farrell
Print Article
THERE is a “fear culture” preventing medical staff at the Vale from speaking out about the superbug crisis which has struck a blow to the under-threat hospital.
According to sources who have spoken with nurses at the hospital, they believe they could lose their jobs if they speak publicly about the outbreak.
This is despite the health board claiming that it would not, and has not, threatened any employees about speaking to the media in the wake of the crisis at the Vale of Leven hospital.
But nursing staff who initiated contact with the Reporter last week, expressing a wish to try and tell their side of the story, changed their minds after claiming they were warned it could cost them their jobs.
At the time of going to press, the Reporter also received a letter from the hospital chaplain on behalf of the nurses expressing similar fears.
The letter from Reverend Ian Miller, also of Bonhill Parish Church, makes strong charges against the health board for the way it has handled the C-diff outbreak.
In the letter, Reverend Miller writes: “Staff are understandably reluctant to talk to the media — there is something of a fear culture that operates within the NHS at many levels and staff are encouraged to remain silent.
“They are encouraged to believe that any kind of reported statement runs the risk of job loss or at best career restriction, Freedom of Speech and the NHS do not go hand in hand.”
Other sources who have contacts within the hospital echo these points.
They have described the tactics used by Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC) health board as “heavy-handed”.
Jim Moohan, of the Hospitalwatch campaign group, has been speaking to staff throughout the Vale in the wake of the superbug crisis.
He told the Reporter: “Hospital workers have been muted through heavy handed management, coming from the top all the way down.
“In comments made to me, by various people from across the hospital, a lot have been sat down and told not to speak up about C-diff.
“This is not an acceptable position — the people with the medical knowledge and experience cannot tell of what is really happening.
“Especially with the announcement of an independent inquiry, transparency and honesty are key, but are not present in the way staff are being treated.”
Jackie Pollock, of the United Campaign Group, said: “For years we have known that it is bad for the staff at the Vale to talk, but this has just exposed it for being even worse.
“This is nothing short of black mail — there should be nothing stopping members of staff speaking out as members of the public on C-diff, which they are as susceptible to as anyone.”
In response to the claims, a GGC spokeswoman said: “If staff are approached by a journalist, the protocol advises them to direct any media enquiries to the board’s dedicated team of press officers.
“There is, however, no clause that prevents staff from speaking to the media and no member of staff has been threatened with dismissal.”
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
Christmas songs played to sharks