Fighting to defend the NHS

Radiographers were amongst healthcare workers protesting against government policy at the NHS Together National Day of Action which took place across England on Saturday 3 March.

A contingent from Hope Hospital and the Christie Hospital attended the event in Manchester. "There were about 400 people present and the march went well," said Andy Pitt, SoR President. "I was interviewed by the Manchester Evening News and Granada TV so we're hoping to see some good press coverage."

And at the London rally, held at Friends Meeting House in the Euston Road, Paul Bromley, regional officer, spoke on behalf of the SoR. "The staged below-inflation pay award will only add to the anger and disappointment that is felt by public employees," he said.

"The morale of radiographers and other NHS staff is rock-bottom and already we are hearing of the anger at the imposition of a wage freeze. Deficits caused by government mis-management are causing cuts in patient care and staff jobs. This government expects our members to pay the Treasury to keep the NHS solvent," he continued.

"New Labour has drifted so far away from the basic principles of supporting and celebrating the public sector that they are in danger of losing the next election."

The NHS Together campaign brings together the health service unions and staff associations to put pressure on the government to hold open discussions about the future of the health service and re-examine the reforms that are taking place.

"Fundamental reorganisation and restructuring is going on that is untested, has no evidence base and without consultation with the staff who have to carry out the changes," Mr Bromley commented.

"The NHS is being privatised and fragmented. The core values that bind the organisation together and make it a world leading service are being threatened. We have to force the government to establish a dialogue with the people who really care about the future of the NHS and the services it delivers to patients."

06/03/2007