Doctor attacks Labour-backing Prentis

AN ANGRY east London GP has written the open letter below to Dave Prentis, General Secretary of the largest trade union in the NHS, UNISON.

(Picture: 1st November march to the TUC lobby of parliament is joined by Waltham Forest NHS campaign)

"I AM a GP in Waltham Forest and have lived here most of my life. I remain at a local level a keen supporter of effective unions as advocates for working people. Frequently I ask my patients who are in difficulties in their workplace to draw on the resources of their union, or if not members, to consider joining.

Many of my patients are health service staff locally and frequently the lowest paid. I find it astounding that you in the leadership of UNISON can sit back and watch as swathes of your members are in jeopardy with respect to their jobs and their working conditions yet you have been quite happy to bankroll New Labour the architect of this debacle.

The Prime Minister has flung the NHS into yet more destabilising change to produce some miraculous "legacy" before his long overdue exit. Your members are suffering and you are bankrolling it. You fund it...ergo you are responsible for it.

Shame on you. A union betraying working people..."