Haringey Liberal Democrats have called for action from the Government following the publication of figures showing severe staff shortages at hospitals used by Haringey residents.

The figures, published by Evening Standard, show high levels of staff vacancies amongst nursing posts at the North Middlesex, Royal Free Hampstead and Whittington hospitals.

At the North Middlesex, 25.3% of nursing posts are currently vacant, including 23.7% in the intensive care unit and 21.4% of nursing posts in the midwives department. At the Royal Free Hampstead, 41.1% of nursing posts are vacant in the intensive care unit and 26.7% in the midwives department. At the Whittington, 23.1% of nursing posts in the intensive care unit are vacant.

Cllr Lynne Featherstone, Lib Dem leader of the opposition on Haringey Council, comments:

“These shocking figures show the huge gap between the government’s promises and the reality on the front line of public service provision. There is a very real crisis in some specialities, such as intensive care and midwives.”

Cllr Wayne Hoban, Lib Dem health spokesperson, comments:

“There is no sign of these shortages easing and hospitals are being forced to spend hundreds of thousands on temporary staff to try to fill the gaps. The Department of Health needs to snap out of its complacent claims that things are getting better.”