Mar 1 2007
Every one of the government's 21 elected cabinet ministers faces severe NHS cuts in or affecting their own backyard, according to a new report published by UNISON today.
The uncomfortable statistic for the government has been revealed ahead of the NHS Together National Day of Action -- a unique alliance of trade unions and organisations including UNISON, the Royal College of Nursing, the British Medical Association and patients' representatives. On Saturday 3 March, doctors, nurses, midwives, cleaners, physiotherapists, ambulance workers, NHS managers, occupational therapists, porters and administration staff will be standing side by side to defend the NHS.
UNISON released its report at the same time as presenting the government with its "positive prescription" for a better health service - in the form of a giant prescription card.
Among the prescription's items were a "double doze of putting patients first", a "course of financial stability" and a "jobs tonic", all to be taken immediately and with the warning: "not to be taken with private sector involvement."
The union's head of health, Karen Jennings, was joined by nurses and health workers, in delivering the campaigning message to the Department of Health.
Ms Jennings said: "It's time to say, 'if you value it, vote for it'.
"If ministers don't begin to start backing their local health services, and start opposing the relentless closures and cuts affecting their own communities, then local voters will undoubtedly hold them to account at the next election."
The report follows the high profile cases of health cuts in the constituencies of home secretary John Reid and Labour Party chair Hazel Blears. It shows that every one of Tony Blair's cabinet ministers faces pressure from health cuts in or around their constituency.
http://www.unison.org.uk