March for the future of
the NHS
 |
Carol Ball |
The UK Government’s Health and Social
Care Act represents the biggest threat to the integrity
and values of the NHS in England in its history and Conference
voted overwhelmingly for a range of measures to resist
the worst effects of the Act and to intensify UNISON’s
campaign against further cuts and privatisation.
The motion also flagged up the threat to patient care
in other parts of the UK too, and rejected the myth that
the NHS is being protected from cuts, citing tens of
thousands of job losses across the UK.
Glasgow City’s Carol Ball reminded delegates that
the NHS should be freely available to all who need it. “Not
free, as we all contribute through our National Insurance,
but free at point of delivery, because that is the kind
of society we want to be a part of.”
She told conference that it is right to campaign locally
but there is also a need for mass action at a national
level, and welcomed the TUC’s call for a national
demonstration, March for the Future, on 20th October.
“We must let this Condem Government know that
we are proud to be public service workers, we are proud
of the services we provide and we are not to blame for
this economic crisis.
“We must be there all together to tell them there
is an alternative, there is a better way and public works.”
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