EMBARGO/Release date: Saturday, 24 June, 00:01*
Greater Manchester PCT Chair slams NHS reforms
The Chair of a PCT in Greater Manchester will speak out
against the
Government’s NHS reforms at a demonstration tomorrow
(Saturday, 24
June). Addressing a Keep Our NHS Public rally in Manchester,
Debbie
Abrahams, Chair of Rochdale PCT, will say she has “no option
but to
speak out publicly” before the reforms take the NHS to “the
point of no
return.” She will warn that market reforms *“threaten the
future of a
NHS that is equitable and free at the point of need”*.
It will be one of the first occasions where someone tasked with
implementing the controversial market reforms will have
broken ranks to
speak out against them. She will say:
*“I believe passionately in the NHS; for me it is not just
about how we
organise and provide health care, it reflects and represents
the values
of our society. During my period as Chair of Rochdale PCT, I
have seen a
steady stream of national policies introduced - Foundation
Trusts,
Choice, Independent Treatment Centres and now Commissioning
a Patient
led NHS - which threaten these values and the future of a
NHS that is
equitable and free at the point of need.*
*“I have repeatedly raised my concerns without success and
feel I have
no option but to speak out publicly before we reach the
point of no
return.”*
The demonstration is expected to attract over 1,000 NHS
staff, as well
as many members of the public angry at the cuts being made
by the
Pennine Acute NHS Hospitals Trust. The trust is axing 800
jobs across
its four hospitals at Fairfield, North Manchester, the Royal
Oldham and
Rochdale Infirmary.
The event been organised by Manchester Keep Our NHS Public,
Unison and
Manchester Trades Council. Protesters will assemble at 11.30
am at
Victoria Station, Manchester, on Saturday 24 June.
Alex Nunns
Information Officer
Keep Our NHS Public
07763607528
[log in to unmask]
www.keepournhspublic.com
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