Do you think Labour can save the NHS - vote in our poll
Keir Starmer has vowed to get the NHS “off life support” as the service celebrates its 75th anniversary today (July 5) - but do YOU think Labour can save the NHS?
The milestone comes in a year when NHS staff have been taking industrial action following disputes over pay and working conditions, with junior doctors in England set to strike for five consecutive days this month - the longest walkout in NHS history.
Around 47,600 members of the British Medical Association (BMA) will take to picket lines between 7am on Thursday, July 13 and 7am on Tuesday, July 18.
The health service is still recovering from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, with a record 7.4 million people in England waiting to start treatment as of the end of April.
Meanwhile, the NHS is also tackling chronic understaffing, with an estimated 100,000 staff vacancies waiting to be filled. According to the BMA, this has been driven by “inadequate workforce planning and lack of government accountability”, which includes insufficient funding and infrastructure to train enough new doctors.
Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade
The Labour leader has pledged to save the crippling NHS and has spoken of his family’s experience of the health service, with his mum a nurse before she was hit by Still’s Disease.
Keir Starmer revealed how he “spent many long days and nights in hospital with my mum”, adding: “The health service changed from being her livelihood to her lifeline.”
He told the Mirror that “the one closest to my heart is building an NHS fit for the future”, and shared: “The NHS was my family’s lifeline; now it’s my job to get it off life support and back to a clean bill of health.”
Mr Starmer is expected to speak at a special service at Westminster Abbey today celebrating the founding of the NHS under Labour in 1948.
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said: “It’s time to deliver long-term sustainable funding for our NHS, and to raise the pay of its workforce, so that our health service is fit to care for our families and communities for many years to come.”
As the health service celebrates its landmark birthday, do you think Labour can save the NHS? Vote in our poll to have your say.
The Mirror will also be discussing the topic with you in the comments section below and you can join in! All you have to do is sign up, submit your comment, register your details and then you can take part.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
