Join protests to fight for the NHS this Saturday

NHS strikers at Croydon hospital last month (Pic: Chris Clark)

Health workers and campaigners are set to come together at dozens of protests across England and in Scotland for the NHS this Saturday.

The SOS NHS group, which includes unions and campaigners, including Keep Our NHS Public, has called the day of action to highlight its core demands.

It wants emergency funding of £20 billion to save lives this winter, and a massive programme of investment to protect the NHS for future generations.

The group also says staff should be paid “properly”, and that without fair pay staffing shortages will cost lives.

The day of action will feature action ranging from street stalls and rallies to larger demonstrations.

In central London, campaigners are coming together for a march with strikers from Great Ormond Street hospital. The protest is supported by the NHS Staff Voices and NHS Workers Say NO groups.

There are also marches planned in Oxford and Margate in Kent.

Go to sosnhs.org for details of activity near you

• The GMB union last week declared a partial victory in a long-running dispute with outsourcer Mitie at St Georges hospital in south London.

Mitie has agreed to pay sick pay for all workers at the hospital. They’ve also won the £40 vouchers promised to workers at Christmas.

• Porters and domestics at Croydon hospital in south London are balloting for strikes over pay.

The ballot is due to run for two weeks from Friday 4 March. The workers are angry at being denied decent pay and sick pay as they face the cost of living crisis.

Many are using food banks despite having played a crucial role during the pandemic. Bosses, instead of agreeing to the workers’ demands have instead remove all overtime. G4S must be brought to heel.