The only way to fill the NHS jobs black hole is by offering health workers proper pay levels
GMB, the union for NHS staff, says a decision to suspend one to one care for critically ill Covid-19 patients is a ‘direct threat to survival’.
NHS England has decided to temporarily allow nurses to look after two critically ill coronavirus patients in intensive care as hospitals come under intense strain.
Rachel Harrison, GMB National Officer, said:
“Suspending one to one care of critically ill Covid-19 patients is a direct threat to survival chances.
“There is no denying there are staffing issues in the NHS - there was a vacancy crisis prior to coronavirus.
“Having fought through the first wave, NHS staff are exhausted, sickness levels have rocketed through stress and huge numbers are self-isolating.
“But cutting corners in intensive care is not the answer.
“To cope with health crises and pandemics we need to fill the NHS jobs black hole – and the only way to do that is by offering health workers proper pay levels.”
