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From The Socialist newspaper, 8 February 2012
Kingston Hospital: Save all NHS jobs
A Socialist Party member, Kingston
Kingston Hospital in south west London has announced the closure of Derwent Ward, part of the Esher wing, which deals with rheumatology and haematology. This will mean a loss of over 20 beds from what is already a very overworked hospital.
Staff have been informed that to make £2.6 million in savings more than a third of the health care assistant posts will be lost. These are the people who carry out all the basic nursing talks that ensure people are treated with dignity.
The loss of these jobs particularly in a medical ward will have serious consequences for elderly patients who may have problems with eating and mobility.
It is also contrary to the Con-Dem government's so-called commitment to ensuring that people are not left without proper care for extended periods. It will mean that patients will be sent home early and the responsibility of care left to their families.
As somebody who has spent time in the hospital it is clear that without care assistants the hospital would cease to function. Qualified nursing staff would not be able to carry out the additional work as they are already overstretched carrying out there own duties.
Socialist Party members locally will be involved in the campaign to keep the ward open and fight to save the jobs of desperately needed staff whose commitment ensures that patients receive the best possible care as well as medical treatment.
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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
In The Socialist 8 February 2012:
Socialist Party NHS campaigning
Prince Philip Hospital Llanelli: We can defeat cuts plans
Kingston Hospital: Save all NHS jobs
Socialist Party news and analysis
Exploiting the unemployed to line the pockets of big business
Safe railways, not shopping malls
Socialist Party youth and students
Students drop out of college without EMA
Leeds Trinity students fight canteen cuts
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Tower Hamlets: Save Rushmead one stop shop - fight all cuts
Salford campaign saves day care centres
Defend care services in Medway
International socialist news and analysis
Mubarak's state machine blamed for football massacre
Socialist Party workplace news
Reinstate sacked PCS steward, John Brookes!
The scandalous role of London Unison - Demand that it defends Len Hockey!
Striking oil tanker drivers demand meaningful talks
The Socialist - reviews & readers' comments
Tory policies hit women hardest
Review: Borgen - politics and crime in Denmark
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