Unintended consequences

An interesting article from "The Times" of London.

NHS staffing crisis as one in 20 posts remains unfilled

"More than one in 20 posts in the NHS are being left unfilled official figures showed today as Trusts are forced to spend up to £150,000 (Approx $250,000) to fill each job with agency [temporary, contract] workers."

Why? The article lists the probable contributing reasons as:

1. Retirements, and
2. The impact of preparing for the European Working Time Directive, which came into force on August 1st.

Number two is fascinating. According to the article, "The directive, which has reduced the maximum working week for junior doctors and other staff by the equivalent of one working day — from 56 hours to 48 — means that a significant number of hospitals are relying on agency staff to plug gaps in their rotas. "

In a comment on the article, Charles Edwards wrote, "Its not just medical staff, its everywhere. Consider that major hospitals employ senior (non-medical) staff to fill positions say in Facilities Management. After interview, they'll be offered the job(provisionally), but subject to clearances. The medical clearance alone could take more than 2 months to get sorted only after which the offer can become fixed, after which the employee-to-be might themselves have to give notice; if they are senior staff for a firm that might be 3 or even 6 months notice required by their contract. I would warn that the problem is widespread and from my short experience only made worse by government policy."

A reason to scrap doing something about healthcare in America? Of course not. A reason to be skeptical about how well governments manage things? Of course.

Like so many well meaning changes... It is the unintended, unforeseen consequences that'll kill you.