ADOC staff given gagging order

Dec 4 2009 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

HEALTH chiefs have been forced into a dramatic u-turn after trying to gag their staff.

Ayrshire Doctors on Call bosses have scrapped service cutbacks following a furious backlash from staff.

The Post told last month how fed up medics can’t cope with limited resources as bosses try to make a two per cent budget saving.

On one night last month, emergency teams missed 16 of their 23 call-outs in the allotted timeframe.

Now NHS chiefs, furious at the truth leaking out, have tried to ban their staff talking to the press.

However, staff insist that the move is simply bullying.

One worker said: “The bosses are terrified about the truth getting out.

“They were absolutely furious when the story appeared in the Ayrshire Post and now they’re trying to silence us.

“We’d happily go through the proper channels with complaints, but when we do we’re just ignored, so what other option do we have?

“ADOC was once a good company to work for – now it’s all about meeting targets and budgets.”

ADOC’s general manager, Liz Farquhar, has now penned a warning letter to staff about speaking out.

Ayr MSP John Scott has also been contacted by ADOC staff and has demanded a meeting with health board management.

He said: “I have been contacted by local health service workers who have made it clear to me that reducing the number of cars on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays has had a severe effect on their ability to properly operate the on-call service.

“Given the significant role played by ADOC in the delivery of local health services, and the pressure that staff are being put under as a result of an apparent lack of adequate resources, this is a matter that must be immediately reviewed.

“I will be making plain my view that the current system, which is causing missed response times and unreasonable pressure on staff, cannot be allowed to continue.”

But NHS bosses have hit back, claiming their reduced service was only a pilot and they want staff to stay tight lipped to protect patients.

Heathcare director Liz Moore said: “During the pilot we observed that the demand on the service was 16 per cent higher than we would have expected for this time of year.

“This was mainly due to the rise in influenza like illness.

“Because of this increase we decided to review this pilot early and took the decision to increase our mobile units from two to three.

“All NHS staff have a professional and legal obligation to protect the confidentiality of our patients.

“Following media coverage two weeks ago, we issued a letter reminding staff of this responsibility and advised them of the many ways to raise issues within the organisation rather than compromising patient confidentiality.”