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From The Socialist newspaper, 21 February 2018
Nottingham hospital black alert
Marching to save the NHS, 3.2.18, photo Mary Finch (Click to enlarge)
The continuing winter crisis in our hospitals has resulted in black alert status being declared at a Nottingham hospital for a whole week.
On 16 February there were 70 patients waiting for an emergency bed at the Queens Medical Centre.
A memo to staff at the Nottingham University Hospital Trust from Rachel Eddie, deputy chief operating officer, said: "The additional community beds that we opened in early 2018 are full. These pressures have been compounded by bed closures."
Mike Scott, spokesperson for Nottingham/Notts Keep Our NHS Public, said:
"Every time we think rock bottom has been reached, things get worse. The government, the trust and local councils are still pushing ahead with plans to cut 200 acute beds when patient numbers are going through the roof.
"This is complete madness. We call on the trust and councils to stop the plans to restructure local services and to ensure there is a sustainable excess of beds before the numbers are reduced."
The current crisis is disastrous for both staff and patients. It is clear that unless adequate funding is pumped in to the NHS now, more people will die needlessly and the government will have their blood on its hands.
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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 21 February 2018:
Socialist Party news and analysis
Chatsworth ward victory shows we can save our NHS
Tories raid £1bn from NHS facilities budget - unions must act
Blairite mayor faces open election after democratic 'irregularities' - fight for a no-cuts mayor
Facebook sides with state repression - reinstate the Tamil Solidarity page
Workplace news and analysis
Usdaw victory - Socialist Party member Amy Murphy wins presidential election
Bosses divided - university pension strikes can win!
After 80 strike days Mears workers achieve victory
Newham academies strike continues with three schools to strike together
What we think
Northern Ireland talks process paralysed
Socialist Students
How can students and young people fight the Tories?
Leicester Uni makes Tory fee tripler David Willetts chancellor - sack Willetts!
International socialist news and analysis
South Africa: Ramaphosa is a safe pair of hands for capitalism
Russia: Ali Feruz, journalist and human rights activist, freed from jail
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Building the campaign against clearances of the working class
Northants council crisis - protesters demand an end to cuts and privatisation
Victory: Pontllanfraith leisure centre saved
Labour councillors push through savage cuts in Kirklees budget
May Day, May Day! Celebrate solidarity!
Bradford protests against kids' service cuts
Successful Socialist Party Wales conference sets tone for the year ahead
Tremendous determination on show at West Midlands conference
Lively discussion at East Midlands Socialist Party conference
Nottingham hospital black alert
Cardiff Refugee Rights gig success
Outrageous sentence for TUSC agent in 'misleading electors' court case
Opinion
German engineering strike puts shorter week on agenda - but could have won more
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