THE IMPACT OF HOSPITAL STRUCTURE AND RESTRUCTURING ON THE NURSING WORKFORCE
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Keywords
hospital structure, restructuring, nursing, management
Abstract
Objective: Health systems throughout much of the world have been subject to 'reform' in recent years as countries have attempted to contain the rapidly rising costs of health care. Changes to hospital structures (restructuring) have been an important part of these reforms. A significant impact of current approaches to restructuring is the loss of, or changes to, nursing management roles and functions.
Setting: Australian hospitals
Primary argument: Little evaluation has been undertaken to determine the impact of hospital structure and organisational restructuring on the nursing workforce.
Conclusions: There is some indication that nurses have experienced a loss of key management positions, which may impact on their capacity to ensure that adequate and safe care is provided at the ward level.
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Professor Christine Duffield, RN, PhD
Director, Centre for Health Services Management, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia. [email protected]
Mark Kearin RN, MHSM
Area Manager, Nursing careers and professional development, Directorate of Nursing and Midwifery, North Sydney Central Coast Health, Australia.
Associate Professor Judy Johnston PhD
Associate Professor, School of Management, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.
Ms Joanna Leonard, BA (Comm)
Equity and Diversity Officer, Equity and Diversity Unit, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia.