Commenting on the publication of the government’s ten-year plan for the NHS today (Thursday), UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:
“People hold the NHS dear, but after almost 77 years, it’s creaking at the seams.
“Ministers are embarking on an ambitious exercise in extremely difficult circumstances. Their plans must succeed for the sake of patients, staff and the NHS.
“But the government must not let failed yesteryear approaches undermine fresh thinking and the prospects for success.
“More care provided locally outside hospitals makes sense. Shifting tests, scans and x-rays into the community will appeal to the public and help spread the load.
“The crisis in care is adding to the strain on an already overburdened NHS. The new approach should allow those in need to access joined-up health and care support.
“But the plans will only work if the neighbourhood centres are in decent buildings and staff are treated fairly. Thousands of community health employees currently have to work from their cars, or in crumbling clinics without support or functioning IT.
“And care workers, GP practice staff and those employed by private firms currently earn less than NHS colleagues. There must be common approaches to pay, conditions, training and career development so divisions are removed and good team working prevails.
“Significant funding for the coming fair pay agreement is crucial if wages are to rise in care. As is speeding up the creation of a national care service and making this part of localised plans.
“But basing any funding on a failed market system and expensive private finance model would be a major error, especially with money so tight.
“Ministers must not revive outmoded performance related pay for clinical staff. It’s discriminatory, demotivating and costly to run.
“There’s much to welcome though. Artificial intelligence could aid efficiency and free up time with the right safeguards and staff involvement.
“New tougher standards setting out how the NHS must support staff, recording assaults on employees centrally, more nursing apprentices and closer working with health unions are all positive moves.
“But staff morale is low. NHS organisations are being restructured or abolished. Service cuts and job losses are now the reality for health workers.
“Trusts are having to axe resources and lose the very people that could make the plans happen. Ministers must rethink the wisdom of forcing cuts that will make it harder to deliver change in future.”
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:
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
Sophie Goodchild M: 07767 325595 E: s.goodchild@unison.co.uk