Launching a passionate debate, Debbie Turner of Central Lancashire health branch said that the future survival of our NHS is hanging by a thread.
And if that thread breaks, “the impact will be felt by every single person in this hall.”
She noted that central government’s reduction in funding is a specific attack on the NHS and added that the “the gutter press” has misrepresented issues in the NHS, including that of the Francis Report.
James Anthony for the NEC said that “the creaks in the NHS are starting to become audible” – and the biggest impact is being felt in accident and emergency departments.
And he stressed that part of the reason for the accident and emergency crisis is that so many other services have been closed or cut leaving A and E to take the additional strain.
“It is the choices of this government that have caused this crisis,” he added, and called on delegates to go back to their branches and build for the rally in Manchester in the autumn against the government’s attacks on the health service.
Cath Elliot of Eastern region highlighted the “scandal” caused by PFI, which she said stood for “pure financial incompetence”.
While she noted that, while the Labour government had also been a fan of PFI, “it was always a Tory policy and they’re still promoting it”.
She added that “even the public accounts committee has called PFI unsustainable,” and it provides “eye-wateringly” huge profits for private companies.
“This gravy train has to be brought to a halt”, she concluded.
In a further composite on NHS and social care integration, Jean Boswell from Yorkshire and Humberside said that “you judge a civilised society on how it treats its young and its elderly.”
She told delegates that the government was slashing funding for care. “Basic help with washing, getting out of bed and the provision of meals on wheels” were among the areas that many elderly people need help with.
“It simply can’t be fair, that in 2013, in one of the richest countries on earth, we see care workers working on zero-hours contracts … and delivering care to vulnerable people in 15 minutes.”
It cannot be safe – and it doesn’t respect the dignity of those who need the services, she stressed, and added that it is also a “false economy”, as it will simply push problems back onto the NHS.
And she warned Labour that “no amount of structural change will change the need for proper funding.”
Steve Warwick for the NEC said that “demand for care services is rising because of the benefit reforms.
“The private sector seeks to maximise profits while minimising responsibilities,” he continued.
Manjula Kamari for the national women’s committee told delegates that “social care is a ticking time bomb,” as she cited the massive increase in the amount of care being provided, unpaid, with families struggling as a result.
Noting “the appalling treatment of those that do provide what paid care is available,” she stressed the dire nature of zero-hours contracts and the need for care workers to have decent terms and conditions.
And alongside that, she added that it was “time that unpaid carers were recognised and supported as they need to be.”
Anna Marie Stock from Wales told conference about how her area was producing a new integrated policy on health and homecare.
“It’s a step in the right direction,” she explained. Yet even in this situation, privatisation is on the agenda, and carers themselves are under increasing stress.
