Impending NHS budget cuts affecting staff performance and widening clinical and non-clinical divide - 24 June 2010
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Impending NHS budget cuts affecting staff performance and widening clinical and non-clinical divide - 24 June 2010
Impending NHS budget cuts affecting staff performance and widening clinical and non-clinical divide
HR managers and directors across the NHS have revealed how the threat of significant public spending cuts is affecting staff performance and, critically, threatening to widen the divide between clinical and non-clinical staff. They also warn senior management to more effectively communicate strategic objectives to workers.
HR believe staff have responded positively in the face of uncertainty around job security, the survey by career and talent management experts, Right Management shows. Over half of those surveyed do not think staff believe there is still long-term job security and job opportunities in the NHS, however 60 per cent think that workers have become more agile and resilient. Fifty-seven per cent agree that NHS staff continue to see their job as important, possibly explaining the tenacity of employees to perform in tough times.
A divide between clinical and non-clinical employees is being fuelled by the belief that clinical staff are not going to be as affected by cuts. HR managers and directors believe that there will be more career development investment for clinical staff (13 per cent) over organisational management staff (5 per cent).
Fifty-eight per cent agree that staff see a significant divide between senior management with a clinical background and those with a management background, demonstrating that roles perceived as less useful are being identified by staff as at risk.
The warning to senior management is to ensure workers can relate their roles to the strategic objectives of the organisation, only 42 per cent thought staff could do this. Progress is being made, however, as 52 per cent believe employees are more aware of senior management, 49 per cent would say they are more visible and 46 per cent more approachable than in the past.
Right Management’s Managing Director Jayne Carrington, says: “We have arrived at crunch time for the public sector. NHS staff appear to be handling impending major change very well, demonstrating their resilience to ensure the delivery of vital services. However, that staff don’t think there is long-term job security or career opportunities in the NHS will have a major implication on talent management and succession planning. More staff may have to consider a move to the private sector, viewing a job with the NHS as one part of a professional path or portfolio rather than a job for life.”
“Finally strong and engaging leadership will be crucial; leaders who can communicate their vision for the organisation with clarity and who can inspire and energise people at a time of further change and transformation are going to be best placed to steer their organisations through these difficult times ahead.”
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