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Derriford hospital announces huge cuts
Plymouth Socialist Party members
Derriford Hospital, the major health facility in west Devon and Cornwall, has announced massive cuts. Following an 8% cut to its budget, managers are seeking to make cuts of £31 million which will lead to reduced care for patients and hundreds of job losses.
The hospital's income has been reduced for the first time in a decade, following the Con-Dem government's austerity programme, combined with the rocketing costs of the government's unwanted and dangerous restructuring programme.
Staff will face the prospect of compulsory redundancies and enforced reductions in incremental and sickness pay, with £17 million of the £31 million in cuts being aimed at the pay bill. This follows £20 million in 'savings' made last year in which low-paid workers bore the brunt, with pay cuts for part-time nurses.
Paul Roberts, Plymouth Hospitals' chief executive, warned that the number of posts at Derriford would be "significantly reduced".
In addition to cuts in staffing levels and pay, two operating theatres will be shut, 130 beds will be lost and outpatient clinics will be reduced, all real cuts in the service people receive. There will be further reductions in temporary staffing, meaning reduced care on the wards.
The management has argued that the cuts will not reduce services, but many people in Plymouth are very concerned by the announcement.
The Socialist Party in Plymouth is aiming to start a city-wide campaign against the health cuts and is in discussion with union activists on how to develop this. We are the only voice in the city arguing for a publicly-owned and fully funded NHS and will continue to fight for the rights of NHS workers and patients.
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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.
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