UNISON, Head of Health, Christina McAnea, today reacted angrily to news that Government cuts were leading to the rationing of life enhancing operation such as cataracts, hips and knee surgery.
Christina McAnea said:
“It is shameful that rationing is leaving patients in pain and waiting for months on end before they receive life-enhancing operations. In yesterday’s Autumn statement the Chancellor said again that the NHS is protected from Government cuts – try telling that to someone waiting for a cataract operation which would literally change their life.
“The financial pressures on parts of the NHS are building and it cannot be right that the treatment patients receive should depend on the area they live in. Without timely hip and knee surgery the need for one operation can easily be doubled to two, as a patient’s condition deteriorates. Waiting longer ends up costing the NHS more.
“It is time that this Government recognised the growing problems within the NHS as a result of cuts and ensured that the money is there to give patients the treatment they need, when they need it.”
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