This morning, Audit Scotland published its report, ‘NHS in Scotland 2017’ – http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/report/nhs-in-scotland-2017
For our dedicated NHS members, it confirms what we already know – staff are working longer and harder for less, yet delivering first class care for patients against a backdrop of stifling austerity and rising demand. It’s not sustainable.
This morning, the Scottish Government Health Minister Shona Robison MSP dodged questions relating to staffing levels in the NHS but offered her ‘congratulations’ to hard-pressed staff on the front-line.
Our members don’t want congratulations. Our members want the proper recognition and reward for their work and skills which have kept our struggling NHS in Scotland afloat over the last decade.
The Scottish Government has committed to lifting the public sector pay cap and we are clear that this means hard-pressed NHS staff need a pay rise that at least meets the cost of living / rate of inflation.
Warm words from our political elite are useless. It’s time to end Scotland’s austerity shame. Ahead of the Scottish Government’s Draft Budget in December, that’s the campaigning message we’ll be taking to Holyrood on behalf our NHS members.
In the meantime, if you have any questions or if you have colleagues who want to join GMB Scotland, then please do not hesitate to contact me on 0141 332 8641 or email gmbscotcampaigns@gmb.org.uk
Posted: 26th October 2017