A ward nurse on the NHS

By James Anthony

UNISON members meeting at our National Delegate Conference in Manchester discussed the NHS today. Members from across the union spoke passionately about how important the NHS is and the threat posed to it by the Tories.

From what we hear from the government ,you’d think health workers had been doing a bad job. But as a ward nurse, I know only too well the importance of the health service – it’s made clear to me every day.

The patients I look after have heart conditions – they are in such a vulnerable state. But investment and leadership from the last government has transformed the care of patients with heart disease.

If you have a heart attack in my area of Birmingham, the paramedics identify the type, and, if appropriate, you’ll be met at the door to A&E by cardiac nurses and taken straight through for a consultant. They will then do a PCI, where balloons and stents are used to open up your arteries and treat you straight away. All being well, a few days later you’ll be recovering back at home, with your health being monitored by a specialist Cardiac Rehab Nurses and Physios.

This clearly shows how important government investment, plus coordination and cooperation, is of huge benefit the care of patients.

Despite the improvements that have been won on the Health and Social Care Bill, so far, the destabilising reforms carry on apace. Looking to open more of our services to profit makers, wasting millions on an expensive and muddled reorganisation while the NHS is facing its toughest spending round in its history.

At our conference this week delegates are wearing ‘Never Trust the Tories with The NHS’ T-shirts. We’ve always known that, and the wider public are seeing that too.

Labour are the party of the NHS, and it’s time for them to make it clear that the NHS is the best provide and stand by our health service.