Hospitals in Birmingham, Newcastle, Liverpool, Glasgow and other big cities are being forced to close beds, wards and services because the crazy logic of the NHS market penalises those which treat too many patients!
Last winter most hospitals imposed cuts, many restricting admissions of waiting list patients in desperate cost-cutting measures. As a result waiting lists have topped the million mark and are still rising: almost a third of the total (300,000) are in the four Thames regions.
Now, according to the medical Royal Colleges, more than Demonstrate SATURDAY NOV 20, 11am, Jubilee Gardens, London (Waterloo tube). Rally in Trafalgar Square.
half of Trusts are already restricting the admission of women for non-emergency gynaecology treatment. Some Trusts began restricting waiting list surgery as early as August, just four months into the financial year.
• fighting anti-union laws and developing a collective framework of positive rights for workers • the fight against privatisation, mass unemployment and attacks on benefits • defending the trade/union labour party links & building on the experience of long-standing and newly emerging left formations in the unions.
SAVE
Now, as the threat of a cold winter and warnings of a flu epidemic pile pressure onto a reduced number of hospital beds, doctors will tind it ever harder to get even urgent cascs adinitted for ireatment.
A new spate of closures and cuts are likely to be revealed between now and November 20, adding new weight to the public anger at Tory vandalism in the NHS.
The TUC demonstration, rather than defusing this anger can be used to focus it, with local campaigns and action to follow through the fight against cutbacks.
The worst error would be to allow anger at the TUC's slow response to undermine the support that must be given to the campaign. Without a big show of resistance, vital health seryices can be irreparably damaged.
UNISON, the main instigating union, is organising coaches from each area, and assigning officials to build the campaign for the demo. But it is a TUC march, and must be widely supported by all unions.
Order publicity leaflets, posters and stickers now from the TUC, from your local union office or from UNISON (071-388-2366), and get organised.
Registration
The conference is open to delegates from bona fide trade union and labour movement organisations and to individual activists. Full weekend £10, One day £6 Low/unwaged £3 Send registration and/or sponsorship details including name. address. Union or organisation to Carolyn Sikorski. 53a Geera Road, London E15