NHS group to consider weekend services

[Northerner]

A group is to be set up to examine why the NHS in England cannot provide some routine services at weekends - like day surgery - the BBC understands.

The NHS Commissioning Board is due to announce the move on Tuesday, when it publishes its planning guidance for the NHS for the first time.

The group will include patient representatives, health providers and people from outside the health service.

But the board has said it will not be forcing doctors to work weekends.

The British Medical association said it was "open to discussion" about the changes.

The setting up of the group follows research that suggests patients are more likely to die if they are admitted to hospital over the weekend.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20748345

 

[trophywench]

Well - that's certainly very positive isn't it?

But it is hard (for NHS staff) when schools and other employers insist on having weekends off, isn't it? ie how are they sposed to have a family life with the rest of the family and friends having their time off only at weekends?

I'm sure quite a few people - Drs and nurses - must decide to go into general practice precisely to get away from the open all hours culture in hospitals in the first place. But if hospitals are open all hours then diagnostic services have to be too.

 

[ypauly]

I don't see any reason why the medical profession can't work at weekends most of the rest of the world has to. Let's face it those doctors consultants and other clinical staff would have nothing to do of a weekend if it wasn't for others getting up and going to work, usually for far less money too.