HSSD attacks editor
Monday 27th July 2009, 2:29PM BST.
HEALTH and Social Services launched an unprecedented attack on the Guernsey Press editor this morning.
Both minister Hunter Adam (pictured) and chief officer David Hughes have responded strongly to Friday’s Opinion column criticising the department for failing to make economies.
Health has warned of an overspend of up to £8m. next year.
‘The HSSD has informed islanders that it will not be possible to maintain existing services with its current budget and workforce; unless the editor can a) stop the population ageing, b) stop medical inflation and c) stop medical and technological advances, then additional resources are inevitable if we are to continue to provide the Bailiwick with high standard “up-to-date’ services”,’ said Mr Hughes.
The editorial questioned whether 242 clerks and pen pushers were needed at the department.
But Mr Hughes said: ‘This would mean no-one to organise services, no receptionists, no-one to answer the telephone – and so professional staff would have to spend time on this administrative work, rather than being dedicated to front line work.’
Deputy Adam said: ‘It might be helpful If I took Mr [Richard] Digard on a conducted tour, to explain their work in layman’s terms and show him the value of these groups of staff.’
He also dismissed a suggestion that privatisation or outsourcing services would reduce costs.
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When Mr Digard can stop his own staff from creaming the best items off e-cycle before they make the print / web, then he might be able to criticise other organisations about their own staffing!
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I don’t recall the Press Editor saying that NONE of the 242 pen-pushers plus numerous handymen were required, just questioning whether they were ALL required. Its a perfectly reasonably question given the overstaffing elsewhere in the civil service. Surely Deputy Adam should be opening up to a review of where/if any job cuts could be made. If he thinks that they all essential then he has no reason to be concerned.
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Wholeheartedly agree with Hunter Adam and David Hughes. As usual the editor’s column is full of factually incorrect general rhetoric. There may be some room for manoeuvre, but it is minimal and would only result in meagre savings, not the millions implied. Big savings can only be made by big macro cuts (which I don’t advocate), not micro tinkering.
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Well good for HSSD for sticking up for themselves. The press makes reporters instant ‘experts’ in everything. Reporters ought to be forced to investigate, and report the WHOLE facts rather than just looking until they’ve found something juicy that will sell papers. They also shouldn’t ever be able to report situations out of context.
Richard Digard ought to be more responsible. He’s an intelligent guy who seems to think the Guernsey Press is his own private mouthpiece. Poor work Richard. Be more accurate in your reporting, and take time to fully research your topic before going to press. It’d do your credibility the world of good.
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I’ve just found my copy of the 25 July Press
Social Security are advertising a 36hr a week job for someone to be the first point of contact for TV Licence queries.
How busy is this person going to be in this non job?
Clearly the savings message is not reaching the right ears
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Should be interesting to see if Gsy Press editor has the guts to put his money where his mouth is and take up Mr hunter adams offer to meet the people who he wants to put onto the dole… with the added bonus that he might actually learn something about the work the “pen pushers” do. He might also want to meet some of the very hardworking and professional housekeeping staff who put a lot of effort into keeping the hospital clean while hes at it.
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How many ‘journalists’ does it take to cut and paste from Facebook??
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Has the previous post slipped, somehow, into the wrong thread?
Back to the matter in question.
I have personal experience of receptionists at A&E in the PEH. On one occasion, I had to interrupt the private and personal conversation between two ladies behind the glass screen who seemed to have little else to occupy their time. On the second occasion I was able to hear a little of the conversation between no less than three ladies behind the screen which seemed to concern the shortcomings, in the wardrobe area, of another staff member.
Of course, I have no means of knowing whether this experience is typical of behaviour of HSSD staff. All other staff at all other times may be paragons but you can’t help wondering.
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These people look after their own ! Always have done and always will in future.
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I’ve just read the supposedly offending ‘Opinion’ and I have to say that I agree with it all.
The head in the sand attitude here is unbelievable, for instance:-
“He also dismissed a suggestion that privatisation or outsourcing services would reduce costs.”
So even the mere suggestion that money could be saved has been rejected. How on earth are the States EVER going to rein in the squandering of our taxes if this sort of attitude persists?
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Ted this happens in alot of places of work Banks, Private Businesses, Shops…
Also I know for sure some areas are in need of more staff and how do I know this because my girlfriend has been working 60+ hours a week due there being not enough staff…
Some posters here seem to enjoy jumping on the band wagon when it comes to sl*gging off Civil Servants
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Sorry Ted… .try this comment instead….
Considering your personal experience then, do you believe that healthcare should be the first place we try to save money? Do you have no qualms about gambling with your health to save cash? How do you feel about the one patient last year who cost you, the taxpayer, £400,000 – or about 0.5% of the HSSD budget? What price would you like to put on quality of life for Guernsey?
Secondly, before the Press stuck its nose in, did the great Guernsey public, always first off the mark when it comes to whinging, have any complaints about healthcare provision?? Until your complaint, I’d never heard a bad word about waiting times or quality of care.
As part of my studies as a healthcare professional, I work in the NHS for three months a year, and trust me, you don’t know how lucky you are.
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The central issue here is that the HSSD is not prepared to consider how money can be saved and seems to deny that any savings are possible.
All of us who have been engaged in gainful employment know that savings are always possible even if only small scale. Why should HSSD be different?
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Ted, do you have anything to support your claim that HSSD is not prepared to consider savings other than Mr Digard’s comment?
I believe that the central issue here is that if you make savings in healthcare, then the quality and/or quantity of healthcare will inevitably have to decrease. “Swine flu Mr Ted? Well, we can’t afford Tamiflu, but we do have some Safeway supersavers chewable aspirin….” “Broken leg Mr Ted? Oh dear, well, if you want to pop out the back and see the vet, yep, he’ll be the one with the rifle….”
So, at the risk of repeating myself, do you really believe that healthcare is the first place we should look to save money??
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Student Bob
Are you EVER going to get around to actually working for a living ?
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It is silly to suggest that all penpushers are dispensible but it is true that medical services the world over seem to be submerged in volumes of paperwork at enormous cost to the detriment of sensible medical care.
Our obsession with “elfin safety” and blame culture in every aspect of life besides medical services is destroying our social structure.
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