CAMPAIGNERS, activists and concerned residents from across Worcestershire are gearing up for a national demonstration in defence of the NHS.
Health Campaigns Together, a federal group comprising 35 NHS campaign groups, trade unions and other political supporters, has called the national demonstration being held tomorrow (Saturday).
The alliance has been formed to defend the NHS from privatisation and to fight for a fully funded, fully public NHS, free at the point of entry.
The demonstration has backing from a number of major unions including Unite, the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Nursing, National Union of Teachers, PCS, Prison Officers Association, Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union, GMB and NAPO.
It’s Our NHS Worcestershire, made up of local campaign groups, political parties, trade unions and individuals, have organised street activity, petitioning and leafleting across the county on this critical issue.
The tragic deaths at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, the downgrading of services at community hospitals and the threat of closure for local county hospitals has provided campaigners with an urgency to organise for this demonstration.
This is against a backdrop of continued attacks on the contracts and pay of NHS workers, further cuts made under the guise of Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STP’s) and the privatisation of services by this government.
It’s Our NHS Worcestershire supports all NHS workers and opposes any efforts to divert blame onto them.
A protest spokesperson aid “We cannot stand by and watch as this government systematically dismantles our NHS.
“They have starved it of funds and sold off large parts for private profit. At this rate we are set to return to a time when people lived in fear of the costs of accident or illness.
“Let’s get back to a NHS we can be proud of,” he added.
