Fully fund services, kick out profiteers
Give workers a decent pay rise
Holly Johnston, NHS trade union rep and Sheffield South East Socialist Party
Vital action is needed to reduce pressure on the NHS this winter. Many people will be terrified of falling seriously unwell or getting injured, dreading an hours-long wait for an ambulance or in a hospital corridor.
Staff and unions have repeatedly sounded the alarm, yet the government just wants us to work harder as we face record flu levels, staff shortages, delays in discharges, overwhelmed GP services and huge A&E attendances.
The term ‘quad-demic’ has been used, with significant levels of four illnesses that all peak throughout winter: flu, Covid-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and norovirus. There were 3.5 times as many flu patients in hospital during the first week of December than at the same time last year, a 70% increase on the week before.
Winter pressures happen every year, but the readiness is not improving. How can stopping winter fuel allowances for pensioners improve the rates of pneumonia and other deprivation-related illnesses?
At the same time, NHS staff have been told that the government recommends we get a 2.8% pay rise. With a pay offer as low as this, when we have lost up to 30% in 15 years, it is no wonder NHS workers are talking about needing to take further strike action.
Another huge kick in the teeth is that Keir Starmer has said that departments will have to fund pay increases from their own budgets. Cue Labour politicians blaming NHS workers for cuts.
The NHS will continue to struggle unless we have urgent and meaningful pay rises for staff; a commitment to fully fund the NHS and bring all outsourced workers and services back in house; an end to profiteering, cuts and privatisation; and an end to the social care crisis.
A National Health Service fit for purpose is possible – but only if we fight to save and improve it.
