Everyone must protect their own interests I guess. But there’s something of a problem if this is to be achieved at the expense someone else.
And especially when those doing it claim to be in the solidarity business.
I wouldn’t like the job of cutting numbers in the health service but I never much cared for the slightly holier than thou demands from pundits seeking savings in the health service for the protection of ‘front line staff’ when it comes to implementing cuts. I get even queasier when I hear certain trade unions doing likewise; with the obvious implication that its ok to get rid of their brothers and sisters in the other unions, as long as they are left alone.,
The idea that the clerical and other support workers who make up the health care team are somehow standing around with their hands in their pockets is probably a very attractive one if you think you can have a strategy for cutting health services while maintaining the pretence that nothing will change for patients.
However the cook’s tale has changed all that. It appears that the somewhat unplanned approach of letting those wishing to take redundancy determine staffing in the HSE has resulted in an acute shortage of chefs. He was good…..as good cooks go, but as good cooks go, he went.
Not that it matters, they aren’t front line staff after all. Except, for the story I heard about the hospice (not in the HSE) which lost its chef and has had to resort to the abomination known as cook chill.
Even the condemned man got to choose his final meal.
If we can’t give patients in the late phases of illness the comfort of the meal of their choice, a reminder of their youth or happier times, we truly have lost the plot.
Healthcare is a team sport. The Frontline v The Rest discussion is an unsatisfactory basis for reform! There may be better strategies on the way. I hope so. If it it’s not exactly anarchy, it’s a good illustration of the law of unintended consequences!