A defensive health policy – altaposten.no

After the prime minister failed to respond to hospital services in Alta during the meeting he invited to in Alta, Altaposten subsequently sent unanswered questions to the Prime Minister’s office, whereupon he would still not answer. But, after pressure from i.a. Altaposten and politicians, however, the Prime Minister’s Office has chosen to respond.

In his response to the health service in Alta, it seems that he has forwarded the question to the Finnmark Hospital/Health Word, and received the answer from there. This is a well -known tactic that also shines through in the many answers the Minister of Health has given to the questions that Irene Ojala (Patient Focus) has put in the Storting.

In addition, the prime minister is very clear on what he thinks about Hospital in Alta: “Therefore, I also say that it is not appropriate to establish another emergency hospital in Finnmark! »! So then we know what the Labor Party is going for choice! The reason for not establishing a new emergency hospital in Finnmark is the recruitment challenges we see today. What can happen to Kirkenes and Hammerfest hospital in a war situation, the former Foreign Minister has not taken over! Still like reality!

However, I must think that it is defensive to justify the resistance to a third emergency hospital with recruitment problems. Because I wonder why we have recruitment problems?

But, as more and more nurses are being trained, why are access to new nurses in patient -related activities not increasing to the same degree? The answer goes without saying; There is an ever -increasing number of nurses leaving patient -related businesses. Substitution obtained from i.a. The Norwegian Nursing Association, says that there are several reasons why nurses leave patient -related work. Causes that can be listed include High work pressure (30%), physical and mental strain (25%), low salary (20%), low professional development (15%) and lack of recognition and status (10%). These reasons are probably many of the Finnmark Hospital’s nurses who recognize. And when we see and hear what is happening at the moment, especially at Hammerfest hospital, it is probably no wonder that the nurses leave or consider leaving their job. Not because they want to, but because, for the sake of their own health, they seem to have to change workplace.

Studies have been done that point to what can motivate nurses to stay in the job. Factors that go back are often the experience of a good working environment, good professional management and the opportunity for professional own development, as well as an experience of meaning with the work. This is pointed out as crucial to experiencing a balance between requirements and control in everyday life. Other important factors are an affordable workload and a good salary.

My impression is that today’s hospital operation (not just in Finnmark) does not promote these motivational factors. Especially on the staffing side, there are constantly missing. This means that the workload for nurses is constantly increasing. They must « run faster » and have less time for each patient. Eventually comes the feeling that you are unable to give the patients the help and care they need and deserve. The job changes from care and care to a technical service. It has something to do with the feeling of the job. Such frustration in the college is not a positive contribution to the working environment. In addition, when the salary may not be experienced in the style of work and responsibility, the situation does not improve. It will be difficult to brag about the workplace, and it will not be easy to recruit new nurses.

If you want to do something about the recruitment problems in the health care system, I think it is important to address these factors. The measures will also contribute to a stronger and more well -functioning health service.

However, back to the Prime Minister’s opposition to the establishment of a third emergency hospital in Finnmark, and his defensive justification in recruitment problems. Instead of highlighting recruitment problems, he should perhaps focus on measures to do something about the problem.

It is a quarter of a century since the health enterprise model was introduced, and it has probably solved many problems in the health care system, but it has also clearly created new problems. One of the biggest problems, as I see it, is that the health care system and patient care should be run as a store or production industry where patients are reduced to commodities and raw materials in a production process. Health workers become industrial workers at an assembly line. And for management, economy and quantity are more important than quality. Patients are put in a box depending on diagnosis and it should be squeezed out as much as possible by each employee. The management’s focus is that the number at the bottom of the income statement is positive. It gives us a cold and cynical health system.

Work must be done for an offensive approach to improving health services. Good health services are actually a result of economics and human resources. In Norway, we have a lot of both, and we must use that for the best interests of the patients. Those who work in patient -related activities must receive working conditions and salaries that are proportionate to competence and responsibility. They should feel that everyday life and patient focus should harmonize. Adequate and competent staffing in hospitals is absolutely necessary for the future we will also be able to claim that we have a world -class health care system.

Good health services should be measured based on patient experiences and not after a number at the bottom of a profit account.

Øyvind Seljeseth, Alta

Patient

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