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NHS staff protest over job cuts NHS staff protest over job cuts
(10 minutes later)
Health workers have been holding marches and rallies to protest about cuts to NHS jobs and services.Health workers have been holding marches and rallies to protest about cuts to NHS jobs and services.
The events were co-ordinated by NHS Together, an alliance of unions and NHS staff organisations.The events were co-ordinated by NHS Together, an alliance of unions and NHS staff organisations.
The aim is to warn that services are under threat from deficits and "constant change".The aim is to warn that services are under threat from deficits and "constant change".
Demonstrations took place in a number of towns and cities, including London, Manchester, Preston, Bristol, Birmingham, Sheffield and Belfast.Demonstrations took place in a number of towns and cities, including London, Manchester, Preston, Bristol, Birmingham, Sheffield and Belfast.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber was 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.TUC general secretary Brendan Barber was 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.
HAVE YOUR SAY I have been in nursing for 23 years and have never known morale to be so low Yvonne Smith, Falkirk Send us your experiences 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.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.
HAVE YOUR SAY I have been in nursing for 23 years and have never known morale to be so low Yvonne Smith, Falkirk Send us your experiences 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.
"This government should be getting much of the credit for this better NHS... but it is in danger of squandering the political credit it deserves, and it is running out of time to put it right.""This government should be getting much of the credit for this better NHS... but it is in danger of squandering the political credit it deserves, and it is running out of time to put it right."
Record defended
Mr Barber is to urge ministers to halt the "constant change" in the NHS and to stop fragmentation of the service.Mr Barber is to urge ministers to halt the "constant change" in the NHS and to stop fragmentation of the service.
Record defended
Unison general secretary Dave Prentis was due to address a rally in Birmingham, where he will raise the "alarm" over job cuts and service closures caused by financial deficits.Unison general secretary Dave Prentis was due to address a rally in Birmingham, where he will raise the "alarm" over job cuts and service closures caused by financial deficits.
Health Minister Rosie Winterton said unions and staff signed up to the principles of the NHS Plan, which sets out reforms over 10 years.Health Minister Rosie Winterton said unions and staff signed up to the principles of the NHS Plan, which sets out reforms over 10 years.
She said: "If we know that change will deliver better quality care and better value for money for taxpayers, then standing still is simply not an option."She said: "If we know that change will deliver better quality care and better value for money for taxpayers, then standing still is simply not an option."
She added that nine out of 10 patients rated the care they received as excellent, very good or good.She added that nine out of 10 patients rated the care they received as excellent, very good or good.