Unite general secretary Sharon Graham has warned that the NHS is “in danger of becoming an emergency only service”.

Speaking at Unite’s Stop the NHS Cuts Rally held today (Wednesday 22 April), in Westminster Sharon Graham said: “The NHS is in danger of becoming an emergency only service. We know people are not accessing the NHS, even though they're in severe pain, because they don't think they are going to get an appointment in time. 

“It's only those that can pay that are getting treated that is a disgrace."

The rally was held in response to workers from all parts of the UK reporting growing cuts to NHS services, including redundancies, ward closures, recruitment freezes, down banding and outsourcing.

Unite reps from across the country are now regularly reporting that a combination of the cuts and a worsening staffing crisis is regularly putting patients at risk.

ENDS
 
Notes to editors

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications advisor Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235.

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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.