We have designed some "I'm tired of waiting for..." and "We won't wait" placards. You can print your own copies by downloading plcard designs here.
Perhaps you've been waiting for treatment and would like to bring a placard reading "I'm tired of waiting for..." detailing what is is that you are waiting for? Perhaps you would like to write a placard saying you "won't wait any longer for private companies to be kicked out of the NHS"? or something that similarly ties into the theme.
Our local protest will be one of dozens around the country - and coincide with a massive demonstration in London.
Why protest? Because around the country there are chronic bed shortages, waiting times are getting longer, and operations have been postponed. Cheltenham A&E has been downgraded (meaning it isn’t an A&E overnight), Minor Injuries Units around Gloucestershire have had their opening hours reduced.
Fed-up GPs and other health workers are leaving. Plans to replace two of the county's community hospitals in the Forest of Dean with one have just been approved, potentially leading to a loss of another 20 beds.
‘Phone/app-only’ services are replacing face-to-face services like the Stop Smoking service. Services keep getting handed to private companies to run - from non-emergency ambulances (patient transport, now run by Arriva), Out of Hours care (Care UK), and hospital pharmacy (Lloyds).
The government is underfunding the NHS by at least £22billion between now and 2020. Gloucestershire faces over £200 million in cuts and a £100 million hole in their capital budget... and reorganistion into an 'Accountable Care Organisation' or ACO.
The protest in Gloucester is hosted by us in Stroud Against the Cuts together with friends in Cheltenham and Gloucester Against Cuts and Hands Off Lydney and the Dilke hospitals. It is part of a nationwide day of protests called by Health Campaigns Together.
