Joanna Brown, Chief Executive, The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, was one of 16 signatories to a letter in the
Observer on 29 October 2006, outlining concerns over the current reform agenda for the National Health Service. The letter read:
We are fighting to save the Health Service
"On Wednesday, health staff from across England will converge on Westminster to lobby their MPs. The lobby is organised by NHS Together, an alliance of all the unions and associations that represent NHS staff, together with the TUC. Its aim is to make clear the alarm shared by everyone who works in the modern NHS on the current direction of the health service.
Health service staff are proud of the progress made by the NHS, but further progress is now under threat on three fronts.
First, the financial deficits that exist in a large number of health trusts are resulting in dangerous cuts with critical areas of patient care under threat.
Secondly, staff are concerned about the pace and direction of NHS reform. We back change that brings about genuine improvement, but reforms should be tested first and should not be implemented without staff involvement. .
Finally, staff worry that the current fragmentation of our health system is threatening the core values of the NHS and hindering the ability of health professionals to carry out their duties. Of course, public spending should always be open to change to ensure the best use of taxpayers' funds, but we do not believe that the current reform agenda is providing value for money.
NHS staff want to be full partners in helping to provide even higher levels of patient care. Their contribution is crucial to ensure that reform brings sustainable improvements.
It is not too late to get the NHS back on track. But ministers - and other parties - need to listen to the NHS staff they will meet on Wednesday. Without continued investment, the support and involvement of those who deliver health care and an understanding of the values that make up and motivate the NHS, no government can deliver the better health service the nation needs."
Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary
Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary
Dr Beverley Malone, General Secretary, Royal College of Nursing
James Johnson, Chairman of Council, British Medical Association
Dame Karlene Davis, General Secretary, Royal College of Midwives
Derek Simpson, Amicus General Secretary
Tony Woodley, TGWU General Secretary
Paul Kenny, GMB General Secretary
Debbie O'Rourke, Head of Employment Relations, British Dietetic Association
Rosie Auld, Chairman, British Orthoptic Society Trade Union
Anne Duffy, Director, Community and District Nursing Association
Phil Gray, Chief Executive, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
Stephen Campion, General Secretary, Hospital Consultants' and Specialists' Association
Jon Restell, Chief Executive, Managers in Partnership
Joanna Brown, Chief Executive and General Secretary, The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists
Richard Evans, Chief Executive Officer, Society of Radiographers
Source: Observer - October 29th 2006
Soc Chiropodists & Podiatrists 14-Nov-2006
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