Home News NHS 69th birthday: health service was number one issue for voters, finds...

NHS 69th birthday: health service was number one issue for voters, finds TUC poll

0

The NHS was the most important issue for voters in the general election, a TUC/GQRR poll of 3,100 voters has found.

The health service was the number one issue for Labour, Lib Dem, SNP and Green voters, and in the top three issues for Conservative and UKIP supporters.

The poll also shows that nearly three-quarters (73%) of voters think that the NHS is getting worse – including 61% of Conservative voters.

The figures are released as part of the NHS’s 69th birthday today (Wednesday), which will be marked by campaign events at 33 hospitals across the UK, organised by the TUC, Health Campaigns Together and the NHS Support Federation.

Campaigners will be displaying giant birthday cards for the NHS, calling for increased funding, along with fair pay for staff and guarantees for a publicly-owned and operated health service.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“The NHS is issue number one for voters. This message should be a wake-up call for Westminster.

“On its 69th birthday, our health service is crying out for funding, while brave NHS workers badly need a pay rise.

“It’s time for ministers to listen to voters and stump up the cash our health service needs.”

Co-Chairs of Health Campaigns Together, Dr Louise Irvine and Merril Hammer, said:

“Our NHS has been put under unprecedented pressure. It has been underfunded, cut, and privatised, all while staff suffer a pay squeeze.

“The health service belongs to all of us, and groups across the country like Health Campaigns Together and the People’s Assembly will stand up for a fully funded, publicly owned and provided NHS.”

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here