NURSING AND EDUCATION PLATFORM

Even nurses are unaware of the implications of this Act- many have opposed it (Dr Ashton). Here we have all NHS hospitals to be Foundation trusts as approved by MONITOR. So what? Manage own budgets-- can even buy in private services. Non-profit making. Remove responsibility from the government--- just a beginning.

So new independent bodies to be established by April 2013 to enable service users to input into decisons re health and social care. How independent will they be? Many people who become involved in such committees are often involved in other committees and known to the council.. Yes we know this brings experience. It also brings influence. Also remember- such bodies are not solely to refer to the NHS. There are private orgnisations out here including hospitals and care homes. Recall too- the Community Health Councils and reports of their limited role and influence by the Council and the establishments they were to monitor.We are in danger of re-creating the same scenario. Meetings and reports-- what  do we really acheive? Let's have honesty and action.

So the ex -regional manager of Staffs becomes chief executive NHS and maintains the position. We live in an Alice in Wonderland society.

The more mistakes you make- the more you are rewarded---.Especially if you confess and say it will not happen again---.

Firstly, let's be honest. These results do not solely refer to the NHS, even if the data was gathered within the NHS only. The term "whistleblowing" itself is a very accusing term implying that the whistleblower aims to "get somebody into trouble". Of course the intial action to take is to intervene for example if somebody is being shouted at (staff or patient or relative!). Yes reports must then be made If no action is taken, problems may fester. Individuals may consider there is no hope of changing anything or they begin to accept it as the norm for example, queueing patients up for  a bath. If it is widespread such as the latter example, the manager (s) may actually support the behaviour. Then the staff member needs to go higher (see article care in crisis). There is evidence of missing reports etc  and indications that some managers may recognise such problems as weaknesses or be afraid to tackle them for fear of upsetting the apple cart.  Mangagers must accept such reports or complaints, as challenges and  a time for them and their team, to indicate what has been done about the situation. If problems are widespread , any good manager would be aware of it anyway by monitoring care themselves at random. Yet some incidents of course, do occur behind closed doors.

Whisltblowing actually, stretches far far wider than that sole member of staff who witnesses the event.

Would you be happy for  a nurse or doctor or any other professional, to care for you without the equivalent of the required UK degree? There is published evidence of the existance of bogus universities within overseas countries. For example, one in India was found to be  a textile warehouse- the Indian Government is however, trying to maintain standards.Many overseas staff will tell you, certificates can be bought.It is also the same within EU countries such as Bulgaria, and staff from the EU, require no additional training to practice in UK (email from NMC).Further, the degree may not be the equivalent anyway. Logic; they have different equipment and regulations for a start. I still await replies from Number 10, the NMC and all.

Reform the PhD system or close it down : Nature Newswww.nature.com/news/2011/110420/full/472261a.html

Interesting article

Also

Education: The PhD factory : Nature Newswww.nature.com/news/2011/110420/full/472276a.html

Do we really need  a PHD /piece of paper to be able to think- or prove that we can ?

Has PHD become   a means of tick box criteria according to University or supervisor requirements? Has it become  a means of marketing- ie gain  funds for research, publish more easily,attract more students. Is it  a means of blocking individuals out who do not have a PHD nor want to obtain one?

Discuss.

I constantly hear reports about observations of lecturers from all areas of education -schools/FE/HE. The process appears to be higly subjective and a matter of meeting criteria which do not necessarily reflect the quality of individual staff members or even the stablishment itself. Consider for example the squeaky door or the lecturer on his first day, who does not know all 30 names of the students for which they are downgraded. I can really feel a survey coming here so watch this space. Acknowledgments to all who discuss examples with me. Let me know if you have any more---.

Telegraph 24.2.13. Motivated by reports of patients deaths, Govt now agree to  test the English of Doctors from overseas. Who do they blame?? The EU regulations--- were misunderstood. Commonsense tells you to legally check them. It is all too easy relying on people and things from abroad-- then the Government  is no longer responsible. Yet reports indicate, qualifications in English--- or indeed, from Universities, may be falsified and corrupt universities do exist within some countries. I await a Government reply on this and other issues. Nurses too are implicated. There have been several published reported "near misses" of patients when misunderstood by nurses from overseas. Indeed the training of overseas nurses when they arrive here, is at present under question---. An unfair position for overseas staff to be in not to mention anything else.

So the Frances report makes 290 recommendations. Good to see nurse education needs standardising . Good to see conflicts within RCN highlighted. There are others mentioned. Yet the recommendations are not enforceable.Only those selected by the major bodies (CQC) will be acted upon. There are also factors missing within this report. Were there no overseas nurses at Staffs hospital? Not blaming them but there are separate issues here. Also-- these problems are not only related to the NHS.

Recall. Recommendations have been made for improvements in care since at least 1967 by major bodies. Who acted on those? Funny also, how the same recommendations keep re -occuring.

What do managers think to pre- structured CVs? Talking to  a businessman who found posts in the past with honesty in his CV. He tells me as manager, CVs today follow  a set structure so much they say very little about that individual. Is this  a ploy to give everybody an equal chance? Is it an aim to discard CVs that do not meet set criteria and presentation method? As a true thinker, I dislike set criteria and will not be railroaded into ticking boxes but would rather be honest. Tell me if you disagree---