Health workers stage NHS demo (From Gazette)

Health workers stage NHS demo

11:54am Tuesday 14th February 2012 in Colchester By Will Lodge

Health workers in Colchester held a demonstration yesterday protesting against planned NHS reform.

The Valentine-themed protest staged outside the Healthcare Centre in Turner Road was organised by the public sector union Unison.

Members wore masks showing prime minister David Cameron, deputy PM Nick Clegg and health minister Andrew Lansley’s faces and symbolically destroyed a heart-shaped NHS.

The union is concerned about reform plans which they say brings private competition into the health service.

Glyn Hawker, Unison Eastern region secretary, said: “Unison is calling on the Tory-led coalition not to break our heart by breaking our NHS.

“The Government appears determined to ignore the voices of NHS professionals, patients and even its own ministers who all say that it must drop the Health and Social Care Bill.

“It is flawed and dangerous and we know that patients and health workers will pay the price.

“It isn’t too late for Cameron and Clegg to listen to all those who love the NHS and drop the Bill.“