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From The Socialist newspaper, 13 November 2019
Leicester campaigns to save our NHS
March to defend Glenfield heart unit 11 February 2017 photo Steve Score, photo Steve Score (Click to enlarge)
Lyndsey Morgan, Leicester Socialist Party
As the general election goes into full swing, so do the Tory lies about the NHS. Boris Johnson claimed at the Tory party conference that they would build "40 new hospitals" in ten years.
That turned out to be untrue. They claim they will increase the number of GPs by 6,000 over the next five years. But they made a similar claim in 2015 to increase by 5,000 and there are now 1,500 less!
The Tories have also said they will fund the NHS by an extra £20.5 billion by 2024. This is a less than average increase for the NHS over its existence and comes after years of underfunding.
Some investment in hospital buildings that was held up for years by austerity measures has now been agreed. But it comes with a sting in the tail.
The government has promised £450 million for Leicestershire hospitals. We welcome money for new buildings. But years of cuts and swathes of professionals leaving the NHS means investment in buildings will result in very little improvement without enough staff to work in them!
People power saved the children's heart unit at Glenfield hospital in 2017 and those campaigners are now fighting to protect hospital services in Leicester.
Save Our NHS Leicestershire (SONHSL) has been warning for a long time that the trust's plans, involving the closure of one of the three acute hospitals in Leicester, mean no increase in the number of beds for decades to come, despite an ageing and growing population.
At a public meeting organised by the campaign, NHS England (which oversees the NHS budget) admitted that their plans for the reconfiguration are dependent on carers taking on more care in the home. With the pressure already on families due to austerity, many will not be able to take the extra strain.
In order to fight to see the full details of the plans and to protect our services, SONHSL will be holding a demonstration in the city centre at the clock tower on Saturday 16 November at midday. The Socialist Party has a proud record of fighting and saving NHS services. The fight continues!
- Demonstrate 12 noon Saturday 16 November at Leicester clock tower, Leicester city centre
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In The Socialist 13 November 2019:
What we think
Attacks show elite fear a Corbyn election win
News
Strike, protest, vote - Kick the Tories out
Labour MP targeted by right wing stands as independent
Green Party offers no alternative for young people and climate change chaos
International socialist news and analysis
Bolivia: Right-wing coup ousts Morales
Kshama Sawant reelected in Seattle
Workplace news
'McStrikers' demand £15 an hour
UCU strikes: Union means business in fight against employers
Postal union determined to resist bosses' attacks
PCS union general secretary election: Enthusiastic support for Marion Lloyd
Frimley NHS Trust strikes: Health workers walkout against privatisation
Bradford libraries and museums: Unite members escalate action against cuts
RMT union members at SWR to walk out in December
Transport for London - Justice for cleaners!
Education
Save education - Kick out the Tories
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Leicester campaigns to save our NHS
Fighting for free education, jobs, homes, and a future worth living
Socialism 2019 rally: "Socialist change needed to end climate change"
Trade union conference to force secret police disclosure
Barking: protest brings pledge to remove dangerous decking
Help socialist ideas spread this election: donate!
We saved Chatsworth Ward - two years on
Readers' opinion
Readers' opinion: Twitter's banning of political ads threatens workers' voice
Theatre: On Bear Ridge - an examination of loss, set in a post-apocalyptic world
Socialism 2019 - what you thought
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