Sponsored by
Health workers in street protest over cuts
3,000 are expected to join march By Jo Rostron MORE THAN 3,000 NHS workers are set to march through Leeds as part of a protest against cutbacks.
Unison Leeds Teaching Hospital Branch and Staff Side Council are behind the rally on November 11 which will see staff snake through the city centre over what they call the Government's "unacceptable financial targets".
The group will finally gather on the square in Briggate, where speakers will address the rally and try to generate support.
Sharon Hamilton, branch secretary, said: "We want to keep the NHS working. We want to stop vacancy freezes, stop the redundancies and cuts in services. This is to change the Government's mind."
Axed
Earlier this year, the YEP revealed how around 430 posts are to be axed, up to 40 beds closed and 3m shaved off the management bill under radical measures being imposed by city health chiefs.
There will be a review of drugs purchasing and a crackdown on expenses and sick days.
Hospital staff have also seen mammoth parking price rises of up to 300 per cent as part of the overhaul.
The steps are being taken after Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust – which runs Leeds General Infirmary and St James's Hospital – was ordered to make savings of 84m over the next three years.
The edict is part of a nationwide overhaul to make the NHS more efficient. The service is currently more than 1 billion in debt.
A spokesman for the Trust said: "We're aware of the planned march, which is part of a regionally organised Unison protest.
"On a local level we have an excellent working relationship with staff side and union representatives.
"We know there are concerns as a result of the financial challenges we face but we have made a firm commitment to continue working with staff in a spirit of openness and partnership."
Across England all NHS trusts have been told to make savings of 2.5 per cent each year.
Leeds is being forced to reduce its spending by 3.5 per cent – around 25m of its annual 750m budget – because it has traditionally proved to be one of the least efficient trusts.
The cuts come after two years of cutbacks at Leeds hospitals.
jo.rostron@ypn.co.uk
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leeds
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: West
