NHS Staff Protest over Job Cuts & Closures

Hot on the heels of news that the majority of the CEOs of the UK's NHS Trusts think that the Government is mismanaging the finances of the National Health Service - leaving us piggies in the middle of their 'blame game' again - NHS staff are today planning to march and rally in a number of cities across the UK over cuts to NHS jobs and services.

The events are being co-ordinated by NHS Together, an alliance of unions and NHS staff organisations. The alliance states that its aim to warn that services are under threat from deficits and "constant change".

Demonstrations are set to take place in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield and Belfast.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber is expected to tell a rally in Sheffield that the government is in danger of "squandering" the political credit it has earned for its investment in the NHS.

He said people were telling pollsters that the NHS had not improved since Labour came to power, although their own experiences of the NHS were positive.

Mr Barber is set to say: "We have a message to the cynics and opponents today. Stop trashing the NHS - join with us in celebrating the achievements - not just of doctors and nurses but the whole health team.

I have a message for Mr Barber and NHS management and staff, please stop trashing patients and carers as cynics and opponents when we simply want and expect a more user friendly , focussed and accountable NHS and maybe if we see, particularly within MH , genuine movement in that direction more of us will gladly rally alongside you .

Go here to sign Petition to support NHS Together

For further details of marches, rallies and events planned for today check out NHS Together Day of Action Events .