Nursing shake-up at Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital
The number of registered nurses at New Cross hospital is to be reduced and replaced by trainee nurses and care assistants, it was revealed today.
The board of the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust made the revelation as it revealed plans for its staffing in future years.
Numbers overall at New Cross will increase.
But the plans will see the number of registered nurses at the hospital reduce by 23 to 507.
The hospital will increase the number of care assistants from six to 30. There will also be 24 new trainee nursing posts created by the hospital.
It is part of the trust’s plan to create an ‘adaptable contemporary workforce’ according to its latest inpatient ‘skill mix review’ report.
The issue was discussed at a board trust meeting held at New Cross.
Chief nurse Cheryl Etches said the changes have been introduced after discussions with staff.
She said: “We are always looking at ways to modernise our workforce and respond to the changing world of the NHS.
“Following discussions within the organisation and taking professional opinions into account, we have supported by the sisters and the senior nursing team, we have decided to increase the number of band four positions to create more nursing associate and trainee nursing associate roles. By introducing these roles we aim to enhance the quality of personalised care given to our patients, however, patient safety remains our priority.”
