Health Minister Andy Burnham received a mixed response this afternoon from delegates during a question and answer session at UNISON’s 2010 National Health Conference.
In a short speech before questions were taken, the minister told delegates that a fourth term Labour Government would build a more “people-centred” NHS, with preventative healthcare given a higher priority and a shift in emphasis “from volume, to patient and staff satisfaction”. He also told delegates he would “work at all times to ensure fair pay, pensions, and conditions” for staff, and that he was “passionately pro-NHS”.
Various other policies were discussed in brief, including plans for a future “National Care Service”, and free health checks for those aged between 40 and 74.
In his response to questions over potential job cuts, Burnham told delegates he would cut management costs by 30% and “work to protect the NHS front line at all times”, though he remained unspecific. Another question regarding the Boorman report on staff welfare in the NHS was met with a promise that a future Labour Government “will ensure all the recommendations are implemented in full”, which was warmly received by the floor.
However, another delegate who criticised Labour’s previous record on PFI and privatisation, and who told Burnham she had “heard it all before” was met with a half standing ovation. Health workers at the conference were clearly angry at Labour’s approach to many areas of health service policy over the past 13 years, for which the minister offered no apology.
We will be posting regular updates from health conference online here, documenting important developments and debates, as well as on twitter (@nwasunison) using the hashtag #unisonhealth
UNISON Health Conference 2010: “I am passionately pro NHS” says Health Minister
In a short speech before questions were taken, the minister told delegates that a fourth term Labour Government would build a more “people-centred” NHS, with preventative healthcare given a higher priority and a shift in emphasis “from volume, to patient and staff satisfaction”. He also told delegates he would “work at all times to ensure fair pay, pensions, and conditions” for staff, and that he was “passionately pro-NHS”.
Various other policies were discussed in brief, including plans for a future “National Care Service”, and free health checks for those aged between 40 and 74.
In his response to questions over potential job cuts, Burnham told delegates he would cut management costs by 30% and “work to protect the NHS front line at all times”, though he remained unspecific. Another question regarding the Boorman report on staff welfare in the NHS was met with a promise that a future Labour Government “will ensure all the recommendations are implemented in full”, which was warmly received by the floor.
However, another delegate who criticised Labour’s previous record on PFI and privatisation, and who told Burnham she had “heard it all before” was met with a half standing ovation. Health workers at the conference were clearly angry at Labour’s approach to many areas of health service policy over the past 13 years, for which the minister offered no apology.
We will be posting regular updates from health conference online here, documenting important developments and debates, as well as on twitter (@nwasunison) using the hashtag #unisonhealth