GOVERNMENT promises to improve Lancashire healthcare have failed to materialise - according to a major survey to assess the state of the NHS in the county.

Failing equipment, low wages and hospital finances are still the main concerns of staff.

These are the findings of a TUC commissioned investigation which asked health service union and staff association members to comment on the state of the local NHS, the effect of the change in government and the issues and priorities they face.

Their comments were recorded and passed on to the 13 Labour MPs in Lancashire, who were in turn invited to comment. Only three replied.

Medical laboratory scientific officers revealed that once qualified, they don't even earn more than the threshold to pay back their student loans. One said of his job that it was now: "a profession of last resort."

Another staff worry was that out-of-sight equipment was not being replaced. One hospital worker said: "Staff struggle to keep this sort of equipment working.

"Back-up for an obsolete carbon dioxide incubator used to culture bacteria is 7lb coffee jar containing a candle - a method that would not have been out of place in Victorian times."

It is an unfortunate sign of the times that another colleague felt that 'violence and aggression' were the most important issues affecting patient care in the county.

Other comments included staff levels being cut, extremely low morale and stress brought on by workloads.

John Parkinson, Lancashire TUC president, said: "The election of a new government committed to 'saving the NHS' promised a new era for health care.

"In late 1998, the Lancashire TUC conducted a survey of NHS workers - their comments are eloquent in summarising the perception from the frontline of healthcare"

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