'Health staff feel ignored'

Many of the frontline staff working in the Irish health service feel disenfranchised and ignored by key decision-makers and can make a far greater contribution to service delivery and reform, according to the co-editor of an international healthcare efficiency book just published.

Joe Aherne, CEO of the Leading Edge group, which works on implementing efficiencies with healthcare providers in the US Canada and Ireland, said their experience of staff working in the Irish healthcare system was of a caring and committed community who are not empowered or given the freedom to make the positive changes they see are required.

"We need to recognise the talents and contributions of all members of staff – those in support positions such as administration, catering, hygiene, laundry, management and transport as well as clinical professionals," he said.
 
Mr Aherne said at present, staff and patients feel disempowered by the decision-making process.

"There is a real concern that the patient is no longer the central consideration in these decisions, with financial and other performance targets to the fore."

"Skilled and experienced people within the HSE could make a real impact on patient outcomes but only if they are given the opportunity. This can be done alongside tackling the cost of care delivery – the two are not and cannot be mutually exclusive. Errors and waste can sometimes rival actual care in terms of generating costs in the health service."

The book - "Applying Lean in Healthcare", features case studies from healthcare professionals who have implemented efficiencies across a number of healthcare areas.

Further information is available here

[Posted: Thu 03/06/2010]