Government’s desperate strike move won’t solve any NHS problems

Sacking staff won’t get patients to hospital more quickly

Commenting on the government’s announcement today (Monday) that minimum service levels will be introduced during ambulance strikes in England, UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said:

“This pointless move won’t solve a single problem in the NHS. But it will create many more difficulties for everyone.

“Measures are already in place to protect patients during action. Sacking ambulance workers on strike won’t get the millions awaiting hospital treatment any closer to the top of the list.

“It’s just a desperate attempt to deflect attention from the government’s appalling record on the NHS.

“The public wants ministers to cut waiting times, shorten delays and attract more staff to the NHS. Not make an already dire situation significantly worse.”

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk