The Workers Union is calling for Boris Johnson to deliver a “huge cash boost” to the NHS.
The news came after NHS bosses pleaded with Treasury chiefs to inject an additional £1 billion pounds into the beleaguered health service.
The extra cash would fund 4,000 more beds and ensure the NHS is prepared for a second wave of Coronavirus.
The Workers Union Says
The Chief Spokesman for The Workers Union, said: ‘The government needs to act fast. Senior health staff are warning of a winter meltdown if the NHS fails to get the funding it needs. It’s time for The Treasury to loosen the purse strings before we find ourselves in the grip of another crisis.’
Mr Morgan was keen to emphasise that such measures would only be in line with current commitments.
‘Earlier this year, The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, promised the NHS would have all the resources it needed to cope with COVID. Why has this suddenly changed? Was the fund only made available to combat the initial surge in cases? The recent local lockdowns suggest that this is far from over.
‘Social distancing measures have already seen a cut in hospital capacity. With seasonal flu and other viruses around in winter, it could see the health service completely overwhelmed. This would put patients, and the selfless, hard-working staff that look after them at even greater risk. It’s a completely unacceptable situation that requires an immediate solution.’
Reward our nurses
Mr Morgan also went on to say that any cash boost should also reward the ‘amazing’ work of nurses.
‘Nursing staff’s recent demonstrations have brought pay and conditions in the NHS into sharp focus. The current pay deal provides a miserable year-on-year adjustment, while workloads continue to increase.
‘In a world utterly changed by COVID-19, nurses, support workers and cleaning staff deserve a pay rise. If we can bail out big corporations and banks, we can help the people who have done so much to fight Coronavirus. The moral case for helping them for helping the rest of us is utterly compelling.’
The Workers Union – Britain’s hardest working union
