04.03.13
The wrong kind of collaboration?
The South West pay and terms consortium says that without radical change – that is, cuts to pay, terms and conditions – thousands of jobs are at risk.
This may be true, but it’s also the justification given to virtually all such drives to scrap hard-won privileges for workers, across the public and private sectors.
It’s notable that the DH is mostly staying out of this one, keen not to pick yet another fight with unions or to be seen on the side of well-paid hospital executives at the expense of lower-paid frontline staff.
The South West is certainly, however, being watched closely by the rest of the English NHS, few parts of which are immune from the sorts of problems facing that region.
Tell us what you think – have your say below or email [email protected]