The health and social care union is responding to this week’s announcement that could see national provision slashed from 14 to two bodies.
If the proposal goes ahead, the all local NHS services will be run by a pair of organisations, leading to widespread redundancies. Critics are also concerned about the ability to deliver treatments, organise logistics, and manage patients effectively should the change be implemented.
Analysts have warned the move could result in up to 20,000 job losses, contributing to an agenda described by Unite as ‘slash and burn’ as Holyrood looks to close a £4.7 billion public sector funding gap by 2030. The health and social care union has around 15,000 members.
‘The Scottish government has set out a slash and burn programme for the NHS,’ said Unite General Secretary, Sharon Graham. ‘The proposals will inevitably result in swingeing cuts and thousands of job losses across the public sector. Our members will not be the collateral damage for the Scottish government’s failings.’
‘Culling health boards does not resolve the need to invest in health and care services. We have seen a repeated failure to invest in health and social care workers who provide essential services,’ said Unite Regional Coordinator, James O’Connell.
‘Reducing health boards does not reduce workload or staffing pressures,’ he continued. ‘Unite will not standby and allow workers and services to be attacked. We will be consulting our members on the damaging implications of this announcement, and all options will be on the table to prevent this unacceptable programme of cuts.’
Image: Luis Melendez / Unsplash
Leave a Reply