GMB: NHS crisis highlighted in CQC report 'Engineered in 10 Downing Street'
2 min read
It's a national scandal that we are the sixth richest country and yet vulnerable people are dying because they can't get appointments.
GMB, the union for NHS workers, has says the NHS crisis highlighted in today’s CQC report has been "engineered in 10 Downing Street".
The report by the healthcare watchdog says the health and social care system is “straining at the seams” and is plagued by staff shortages, underfunding and “unprecedented” demand.
Rehana Azam, GMB National Secretary for Public Services, said:
"It's not difficult to understand why the NHS is crumbling - funding just hasn't kept pace with demand.
"This crisis has been engineered in 10 Downing Street, and Theresa May can no longer ignore the desperate state of our hospitals and community care services.
"It's a national scandal that we are the sixth richest country and yet vulnerable people are dying because they can't get appointments and overstretched ambulances sometimes don't reach heart attack patients for an hour or more.
"The pay cap and unmanageable workloads are driving nurses and other professionals out of the health service and they can't be replaced.
"These shocking figures prove the need for real pay rises.
"GMB's members are performing miracles but their workloads are spiralled and average NHS real pay is down £2,000 on average compared to 2010.
"NHS staff love their jobs but the goodwill won't last forever.
"Our hollowed out NHS has been run ragged and patients' lives are at risk, especially in the run-up to winter.
"Enough is enough - it's time for Theresa May to cough up and give our health and care services the funding they so desperately need."
