NURSING unions have condemned money-saving plans to take away leased cars used for visiting patients in the community as ‘efficiency gone mad’.
The Health and Social Services Department intend to cut the number of leased vehicles available to meet savings targets set by the States for 2005.
But nursing unions claim that the move could lead to disruption to patient care because nurses and midwives would not be able to perform their community duties.
The unions have declared a dispute with management over the issue.
They have invoked what is known as the status quo procedure, which prevents any changes being made to the terms and conditions of employment of nursing and midwifery staff without negotiations.
However, Health do not accept that a dispute has been declared because discussions have yet to be held.
Article posted on 23rd August, 2004 - 12.00am
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