Patients would be better served if ministers solved NHS disputes instead of picking fights

Speaking on the eve of a second strike at five English ambulance services and reacting to new government legislation aimed at curbing strikes, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said today (Tuesday):  “Ministers can’t make these disputes disappear simply by making up new laws.“Health workers are stretched beyond breaking point. They don’t need lecturing on providing safe patient care by a government that’s spent the past decade starving the health service of funding and underpaying staff.“Ministers have finally got around the table to talk about the one issue that will solve this dispute – a wage boost. But that positive move risks being undermined by needlessly attacking health workers and their unions.“Regardless of what Grant Shapps might say, UNISON has worked hard to secure patient safety during strikes, and that will continue.“In fact, ambulance employers praised the union for the role it played in drawing up local emergency cover plans in December. Last time, staff didn’t hesitate to leave picket lines when someone’s life was in danger.“After a decade of refusing to bring in minimum staffing levels in the NHS 365 days a year, It’s ironic that the government is only prepared to do so during a strike.“Every other day of the year ambulance crews are stuck queuing for hours outside A&E departments and hospital staff are rushed off their feet. But the government isn’t interested in minimum staffing levels then.“Ministers sh...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: News Press release strike bill Source Type: news