Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/506/3286
From The Socialist newspaper, 17 October 2007
Save our NHS
10,000 march in Sussex
TEN THOUSAND people marched in Haywards Heath in rural Sussex on 13 October. They were opposing cuts in Accident and Emergency services and Maternity care at Princess Royal Hospital, reflecting the strength of feeling across the country over the cutting of the NHS.
Derek McMillan
The Medical Care Research Unit's Sheffield Survey came to the conclusion that "Increased journey distance to hospital appears to be associated with increased risk of mortality… a 10km increase in straight-line distance is associated with around a 1% absolute increase in mortality." To put it another way, more people will die.
Both major parties aim to cut NHS spending. The Conservative MPs for Sussex hypocritically opposed cuts at Princess Royal. But they promise massive tax cuts, which can only mean cutting services and so-called "efficiency savings".
When they were in power the Tories cut the NHS. Thatcher openly boasted she could get "the doctor she wanted at the time she wanted" because she could afford to pay.
As for New Labour, their spokesmen's instant response to the Sheffield Survey was to say the data – the most up-to-date available – was "out of date" and that the situation had improved since the survey was conducted.
There were Unison banners on the march and the local Unison branch is in the forefront of the campaign. Unfortunately Unison's national leaders remain soft on New Labour and soft on the causes of New Labour. They continue to pour members' money into a party which attacks their members.
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In The Socialist 17 October 2007:
National Health Service Cutbacks and privatisation kill
The vultures are circling ever closer
Postal dispute
Postal workers waiting to assess Royal Mail deal
Fighting Royal Mail management's attacks
Solid unofficial action in East London
National Shop Stewards' Network meetings
Socialist Party Marxist analysis
International Appeal
Students on trumped-up charges
Socialist Students
National Shop Stewards Network
Young workers and students need to get involved
"You've got to stick together"
Stop the placement rip-off now!
Campaign for a New Workers Party
Trade Union Freedom Bill
Trade Union Freedom Bill: Banishing Thatcher's anti-union legacy?
Working longer hours for less pay
Socialist Party women
ITV2 - making a good deal out of women's bodies
International socialist news and analysis
Workers' struggle and political instability sends Polish government into meltdown
Australia: Liberals v Labour - no choice for working people in election
Socialist Party news and analysis
Children's homes at risk of buy-outs
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