`We are now in a fight to save the NHS itself’

Unite chief: `We are now in a fight to save the NHS itself’

PM must get serious: Budget last chance to prevent winter crisis and widespread strikes

PHOTOCALL: NHS workers from Guy’s & St Thomas’s
Where: St Thomas’s Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1 7EH

When: Monday 14 November
From 08:00 hours: Workers will tell `Rishi Sunak’ why strikes may now be the only option to save the NHS

Also from 08:00 an ad van with the message to the prime minister and chancellor that this is the `Your last chance to save our NHS’ will set off from St Thomas’s to tour Westminster until Budget day, November 17.

NHS workers will tell Rishi Sunak on Monday (14 November) that he has one last chance with his Budget to avert a winter crisis across the service.

Unite members are warning that without serious, urgent investment in the service and a fair pay rise, 2023 will see a wave of strike action as workers act to protect patients and the very future of the NHS.

Ahead of the protest, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is now a fight to save the NHS itself. Rishi Sunak has to get serious about the crisis engulfing the NHS. Make no mistake patients’ lives are at risk.

“His coming Budget must deliver on pay and funding – no weasel words or sleight of hand. Serious money is needed because this is the very last chance for this government to prevent a devastating winter crisis across our NHS.”

More Unite members across the NHS are now being balloted for strike action, including nursing staff, paramedics, emergency responders, health visitors and blood specialists. Ballots will run until mid-December.