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Article: Nursing staff shortage means longer wait
- Article from:
- Western Morning News, The Plymouth (UK)
- Article date:
- April 4, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2008 Western Morning News, The Plymouth (UK). Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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The Westcountry's largest hospital is unable to meet its target
of a four-hour maximum wait for emergency patients because of a
shortage of nursing staff.
Derriford Hospital in Plymouth admitted it has hundreds of
shifts unfilled by temporary staff each week. One of the main issues
is finding the right staff, as turnover rates remain high. With
limited nursing and healthcare professionals to call on, the
hospital is restricted in how many beds it can open in emergencies.
Paula Vasco-Knight, Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust deputy chief
executive and chief nurse, told a board meeting that the hospital
was working hard to recruit but had a "real issue with getting the
right people".
"We are ...