UHK has rejected a claim that outsourcing of certain work is damaging its attempts to recruit permanent staff.
Dr Martin Schranz, a consultant in radiology in the hospital, claims the outsourcing of certain tasks to agencies or third parties is making roles in UHK less attractive. He also claims there could be delayed diagnosis of serious illnesses in UHK due to a number of issues.
Dr Schranz says that, due to the outsourcing of what he believes is the more favourable radiology work, it's becoming more difficult to attract and retain full time, permanent and on-site consultants. In response, UHK says in the interest of patient care and safety and to ensure timely diagnosis, outsourcing of services has been utilised on an ongoing basis. It adds this is regularly risk assessed.
Dr Schranz says that currently, of five permanent radiology posts, only one is filled: UHK says recruitment of radiology staff has been ongoing and there are now over 30 radiographer staff at the hospital. Radiographers carry out the scans, radiologists read them. Dr Schranz also claims a conference room for multi-disiplinary meetings is being used a storage room and some top-of-the range equipment hasn't been released for use.
He adds UHK has some of the best medical imaging equipment in the country and the qualified staff to operate it. Listing a number of upgrades in the hospital, UHK says recent investment has enhanced patient care, improved patient flow and bed capacity, and supported patient discharge throughout the hospital.
This is part two - see part one here.
