Unite, one of the country's leading healthcare unions, has offered a cautious welcome to the government's new 10-year plan for the NHS.
 
Released today, the plan highlights the changes necessary to ensure the NHS remains fit for purpose and Unite believes many of the measure outlined are vital.
 

Re-negotiate pay

Alongside other health unions, Unite would welcome the opportunity to re-negotiate how unions are consulted on pay and conditions. This could be through the new social partnership forum or via further discussions leading to a new workforce plan set to be introduced in the autumn.
 

Staff at heart of NHS

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Staff are the heart of the NHS and must be at the forefront of how the NHS operates. Workers are worn out and demoralised. Without a clear path to improving morale, any new plan is doomed to failure.
 
"This government was elected on a clear platform of ending the failed experiment in privatisation and outsourcing of NHS services which costs the taxpayer more and ends up with a race to the bottom for staff. It is vital that companies are told the NHS and patients’ data are not for sale.
 
"We welcome the government's acknowledgement that things must improve, and this plan is a good start. But it cannot be done at the expense of NHS workers. Sweeping changes to Agenda for Change or any undermining of collective agreements will be met by forceful opposition from Unite."
 

Targeted health improvements

Unite has welcomed moves to channel funding to improve health outcomes in working class communities where for too long, those working the longest hours on the lowest pay have suffered the worst healthcare. Health and longevity inequalities need to be addressed if we are to have a fairer and more equal society.
 
It is also vital that council funding be increased to allow adult social care and community healthcare to do the job they were intended to. For over a decade these services have fallen victim to swingeing government cuts and are now on a knife-edge of survival. Unite, representing local government workers as well as healthcare professional is in a unique position to champion the cause of both.
 

Staff on their knees

Unite national officer for health, Richard Munn said: "I'm pleased that the government is looking at long term solutions to structural problems within the NHS. For too long a sticking plaster approach has been taken and staff within the health service are now on their knees, desperate for positive change to their pay, terms and conditions and to care for people better.
 
"Unite has long demanded increased union involvement, especially over pay and conditions and continues to call for the abolition of the pay review body and a return to direct negotiations with unions.
 
"Ahead of the workforce review we will ensure that our members voices are heard over those of profiteering healthcare companies in the private sector."
 

ENDS

Notes to editors:
 
For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications advisor Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235.
 
Email: barckley.sumner@unitetheunion.org
 
Twitter: @unitetheunion Facebook: unitetheunion1 Instagram: unitetheunion Web: unitetheunion.org
 
Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham