No wonder the NHS is struggling - can't quite believe this!

[outpatient]

Today I went to the hospital. On the from door entrance there was a member of staff whose job it was to say "do you have an appointment, so you have any covid symptoms"

That's it. She's was being paid to do that. She was there all morning, just to say that. This is in addition to the receptionist that checks you in when you actually arrive,

Is this not bonkers? NHS is screwed if someone thinks this is entirely reasonable to pay someone to do this.

It is beyond saving, and likely not running out of money just making really shit decisions WITH the money

They are likely to be a volunteer

Could be a volunteer, we had loads at one point just at entrance checking masks etc. they have gone now however but we do have greeters that are volunteers.

Our hospital has volunteer greeters too.

They're probably a volunteer, or on minimum wage.

I'm sure the cost benefit analysis of having someone free or low paid on the door Vs a consultant getting covid and being off for a fortnight checks out. They probably only have to stop one symptomatic person per quarter coming in before they're quids in.

If people could be trusted not to attend appointments with COVID symptoms, perhaps they wouldn't be needed.

She is almost 100% a volunteer, many people came forward to do this at the height of Covid.
Maybe check this before posting.

My partner does this. I can confirm it is a volunteer position... so, instead of being denigrated by the OP, perhaps some intelligent empathetic appreciation is required. ... and I'm fully expecting the OP to have a go, but the truth is that there positions are always performs by well meaning and hard working volunteers.

Yes I think you’re right OP all the problems with the NHS could be solved by getting rid of one person at the door. Maybe they should put you in charge.

I’ll tell you what is costing the NHS more. Dead wood staff who are off sick constantly, sitting on their arses at home getting paid full pay. They would have been long gone in the private sector.

Volunteer greeter. Even if they were being paid that would be a drop in the ocean.

Our local hospital has volunteer greeters at the front door.
They also remind people about face masks and can direct them to their clinic or ward

Excellent. Pay me off and I'll happily go.

Of course it will mean that the region where I work loses a service that treats over 1000 patients a week, but don't let that put you off.

It will have been a volunteer, even if it wasn't I doubt a band 2 salary is going to cripple the NHS.

Usually that would be a volunteer - what makes you think they’re being paid? They’ll also be painting people in the right directing if they need directions I expect.
It would be great if people could be trusted to respect visiting times / wear masks / not come to a routine appointment with raging viral symptoms, but unfortunately they can’t always.

🤣

The NHS is struggling because, amongst other things, they prescribed £70 Million worth of paracetamol last year.
vm.tiktok.com/ZMFHeTYJ7/

The 2 are unlikely linked. I doubt they have the consultant general surgeon stood outside fulfilling this role while their surgical list goes undone. And likewise, the likely volunteer completing this role, is unlikely to be the person providing medical care.

It would be better if we could trust people not to come to our patients with Covid, but lots of people are keen to share their germs. If it saves one member of staff a day getting Covid it's worth it.

Would I be right in thinking you're a Tory voter, OP? You look like one.

This.

There was a lady greeting and directing people at the hospital this morning when l dropped my mum off and her badge very clearly said volunteer

I was really badly assaulted at work (NHS), I sat on my arse at home while getting treatment (physical and mental). I’m really sorry if it upsets you that I was paid for this time.

Are you doing as I said in my original post? If not, I wasn’t on about you. If you are, if the cap fits, wear it.

Again, were you doing as I described. No? Well not on about you then.

I am actually thinking about 3 people in particular. But again, if the cap fits, wear it.

How can you be providing such a fantastically valuable service whilst meeting the of the above comment about people being sat on the arses at home off sick ?

And in the private sector, We don’t pay anybody off we just sack them, whole different mentality. It’s amazing, encourages people back to work quite promptly.