Janet Finch-Saunders, Assembly Member for Aberconwy, has expressed her concerns at staffing gaps in the North Wales Mental Health and Learning Disability Division.
The figures are noted in papers for the BCUHB Board Meeting, due to be held this Thursday.
Janet said:
“The papers reveal over 132 whole-time vacancies across the Division, including over 77 nursing vacancies.
“Recruitment, and retention of good staff is essential to the safe functioning of any department of a Health Board, and the Welsh Labour Government need to look closely at what they can do to really make improvements in this area.
“GP and consultant shortages have been widely discussed, but mental health support staff play a crucial role in taking care of the well-being of many vulnerable people in our society.
“The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services – who has taken this Health Board into special measures – must act with immediacy to ensure that those working in this vital area of health care have the full team support they need.”
ENDS
Notes
The Board meeting is open for public viewing: Thursday 7th June 2018, 10.30am, Catrin Finch Centre, Glyndwr University, Wrexham LL11 2HS
Papers available here: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/documents/861/Agenda%20bundle%20Health%20Board%207.6.18%20Public%20V1.0.pdf [See pages 36-37 of pack]
Figures – quoted from the report:
“The Mental Health & Learning Disability Division has a budgeted WTE of 1,907.44. There are currently 1,774.71 contracted WTE, indicating there are 132.73 WTE vacancies across the Division. FTE has increased over the last 12 months by 6%, which equates to 100.3 FTE.” [page 36]
“Within this division for nursing vacancy, if all new nursing graduates who have been made conditional offers are appointed the 77.30 WTE vacancy figure reported for Bands 5 and 6 Registered Nurses will reduce by 23, leaving 54.30 WTE vacancies at these pay bands.” [page 37]