Commenting on the NHS Confederation’s call for extra social care funding to help the NHS, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:
“Investing in social care is vital, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of the NHS. Both services must be properly funded.
“Social care has been losing staff at terrifying rates because the government has failed to improve poverty pay rates. The desperate shortage of workers and huge funding shortfall is placing the entire system at risk of collapse. The focus cannot be profit over care.
“For too long, the government has ignored pay and staffing. But ministers must get involved or the consequences for those in need of support are unthinkable.”
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.
UNISON media contacts
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
