Health workers protested against cuts at hospitals across Northern Ireland this lunchtime.
UNISON members staged protests alongside colleagues from other unions to draw attention to the dangers to safe and effective public health services coming from the demand for cuts from politicians in the Northern Ireland Assembly, the NI Department of health and individual trust managements.
“We cannot and should not be taken for granted,” said the union.
“We are having to deal with cuts to our pension, work harder and longer to 68, suffer pay freezes and struggle with reduced resources.
Protests at Altnagavlin, Antrim, Causeway, Craigavon, Royal Victoria, Tyrone County and Ulster hospital complained that decisions on the future of the NHS in Northern Ireland are taking place “behind closed doors, in the shadows,” with changes being forced on the service while facts and figures are kept away from view.
The regional health and social care board is due to meet this week to sign of deep cuts across all trusts in the next financial year.
UNISON demonstrators vowed to campaign in a bid to halt the “devastating impact” of the cuts, while declaring: “This is no time for political dogma or secrecy.
“This is time for action to serve our patients. This is the time to stand up for our rights and needs too.”