Published: Wednesday, 3rd March, 2010 12:27pm

Culture of putting profit before people

by From the Editors chair

Comments (0) | Print | Email

The shocking story from Stafford of the incompetence of the NHS Trust where 1200 patients died through poor or absence of decent treatment sends a warning to all authorities within and outwith the health sector.

I would draw the scandal and disgraceful evidence from the Staffordshire area to the attention of authorities, like North Ayrshire Council, which are embarking on a slash and burn culture. In order to save many millions of pounds a year jobs are to go, old folks homes are to close, public toilets are to be shut and community facilities are to suffer.

In the midst of the economic crisis, councils, health boards and companies are embarking on a mantra of "cut, cut, cut" which runs the risk of cutting their own throats.

The well-known saying of knowing the cost of everything and the value of nothing is one that we all should bear in mind.

When you cut you dispense with skill, experience and talent whether it be in hospitals, community services like carers and local businesses.

The problem with government and authority at all levels nowadays is that the managements are obsessed with figures and targets.

The sorry tale from Stafford proved that when targets and ticking boxes take precedence over the rights of people, in both dispensing and receiving service and provision the quality of life suffers; in the health trust case, leading to deaths.

Let us all learn a lesson from society's swing to put profits before people.