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Save our NHS

12 November 2009

Highly paid consultants have earmarked 137,000 jobs to go in the National Health Service (NHS). Lincs YM convenor Nick Parker argues against savage cuts to a much needed public service.

Since the NHS was created, a tension has always existed between public service ethos and profit driven economic system; the introduction of prescription charges, large scale PFI projects, the rationing of lifesaving medical drugs.

Technological ability exists to provide medication needed by everyone. What prevents this is the parasitical existence of big pharmaceutical monopolies that control the market, dictating price and availability.

The NHS would save money if these firms were run for need, not profit. Medication amounts to around 10% of the NHS budget. Profits could instead be reinvested to improving patient care, not lining the pockets of already rich shareholders.

Generally, the focus of cuts is to avoid frontline staff like nurses; it’s better PR for bosses to attack conditions of admin staff. But someone has to do admin work. If these posts are cut, it often takes frontline staff away from primary roles.

Fighting fit

NHS cuts is part of a consensus amongst big business and the main political parties to slash tens of £billions across the public sector. But several campaign groups have enjoyed electoral success on a local and national level against cuts in services.

In Huddersfield, local GP Dr Jackie Grunsell stood for election to Kirklees Council under the banner “Save Huddersfield NHS” and won by an 800 vote majority, demolishing the BNP’s hope of winning the seat. In Kidderminster Dr Richard Taylor won a parliamentary victory in 2001 in opposition to the closure of the local hospital.

Nigel Lawson, former Chancellor under Margaret Thatcher, described the NHS as a “national religion”. This highlights the strength of support for services amongst working class people in Britain.

With all the major parties aiming to cut back, it’s more important than ever to take the PCS ‘Make Your Vote Count’ campaign onto the next level, standing up for services we rely on in the political arena.