Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/466/1822
From The Socialist newspaper, 7 December 2006
Blair's health service lies
THE NATIONWIDE campaign against health service cuts, which was described in the guardian as "the most widespread and prolonged unrest since the poll tax revolt in 1990" has got Blair and New Labour worried.
Health secretary Patricia Hewitt claims that the government's 'reforms' are to save lives rather than to save money. Tony Blair says: "the best is yet to come with more lives saved, stopping more pain and distress".
The Blairite Institute for Public Policy Research even said that anti-cuts campaigners were obstructing modernisation and risking lives.
Lois Austin of Southwark Keep our NHS Public commented: "What lies! These changes to NHS services are about reducing services to bring down spending on the NHS and preparing for privatisation.
At Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital up to seven wards have closed over the last few months. They are currently closing a cancer ward which will mean eight less beds. Cancer patients will be mixed with other patients on inappropriate wards scattered around the hospital with specialist cancer nurses travelling around the hospital to care for their patients.
How does this save lives or improve patient care? It doesn't. Patient care around the country is being threatened under the hammer blows of cuts and closures.
At Southwark council's Health Scrutiny committee this week just about each sector of health was being squeezed by cost-cutting to services. Primary care services in my borough were suffering from a loss of district nurses and other staff. Some parts of primary health were being forced to cut their budget by over 50%.
Everywhere these cuts are having a devastating effect. Only a mass campaign organised throughout our communities is capable of stopping these cuts and getting the money needed to run services to meet people's needs".
Why not click here to join the Socialist Party, or click here to donate to the Socialist Party.
In The Socialist 7 December 2006:
Building the national day of action
War and terrorism
Bush and Blair still in denial
"The greatest strategic disaster in American history"
Workplace news
300,000 workers in PCS strike Ballot
Blood service staff prepared to fight job losses
Socialist Students
Campaign to Defeat Fees is building across London
Fight Blair's divisive academy programme
Socialism 2006
Britain's Muslims under siege - which way forward?
Do you have to be red to be green?
Socialism 2006 - another major step forward
Socialist Party news and analysis
200 march against Lincoln's far right
Trident - a waste of our money
Privatised rail bosses hike up fares
International socialist news and analysis
Chávez re-election - a set-back for the right
Balance sheet of WASG national conference
Political tensions rage in Bolivia
Home | The Socialist 7 December 2006 | Join the Socialist Party
Join us today!
Printable version
email to friend
