TUC: 7 in 10 NHS staff say funding squeeze puts the quality of patient care at risk

8 Nov 2016 11:55 AM

7 in 10 (69%) NHS workers say that reductions in staffing and resources are putting the quality of patient care and clinical standards at risk, according to a new TUC poll published yesterday (Monday).

The YouGov/TUC poll of 500 NHS workers also reveals their view that:

The poll is part of new joint report, NHS: Warnings from All Sides, published today by the TUC and the NHS Support Federation.

The report finds that over the last twelve months there has been an unprecedented wave of organisations flagging up significant concerns about the growing crisis in the NHS. The fifteen groups sounding the alarm include Royal Colleges, trade unions, health experts and the government’s own Mental Health Taskforce.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“No-one knows the NHS better than the people who work for it. And the message from health workers is clear – funding pressures are putting patients at risk and damaging services.

“The Autumn Statement is a big opportunity for the Chancellor to provide the funding our health service desperately needs.

“Nearly 80% of NHS staff want the government to keep the promises made to the British public during the referendum, and put the money into our NHS.

“Keeping the NHS running and transforming its services can’t be done on the cheap. The health service needs an immediate funding boost, and a long-term financial plan.”

Director of the NHS Support Federation, Paul Evans, said:

"The NHS is being held together by the commitment of staff and the resilience of patients.

“The resounding message from right across the NHS is that services are being pushed dangerously far. The government must act to properly fund the health service."

The TUC and NHS Support Federation are calling on the government to:

Notes to Editors: