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Nurse says celebrate NHS and ‘fight for its future’ at protests on its 73rd anniversary

Holly Turner urges staff to campaign for fair pay and patient safety on 3 July

Holly Turner urges staff to campaign for fair pay and patient safety on 3 July

Thousands of NHS staff are expected to attend events on 3 July to protest issues such as the government's 1% pay cap. Picture: Alamy

A nurse is urging colleagues to take part in protests on 3 July to demand a fair pay rise for NHS staff, improvements to patient safety and an end to health service privatisation.

Child and adolescent mental health learning disability nurse Holly Turner is one of the organisers of the protests that will take place on the 73rd anniversary of the health service. These will be held outside hospitals, and in public spaces, around the UK in centres such as Cardiff, London and Newcastle.

It is expected that thousands of supporters will turn up to the events, which have been organised by a coalition of activist groups – Keep Our NHS Public, Health Campaigns Together, NHS Workers Say No and NHS Staff Voices.

Nurse outlines consequences of poor NHS staff pay

‘Poor pay impacts staffing levels… and ends up with patient care being compromised. As services become run-down and dismantled, privatisation will continue to creep in,’ said Ms Turner.

She urged nurses to attend the July rallies: ‘It’s an important occasion, to get out and celebrate the anniversary of the NHS and to fight for its future.’

RCN trains almost 1,000 members in campaigning for change

The government was criticised by healthcare staff earlier this year when it suggested to the independent Pay Review Body (RB) that NHS staff on Agenda for Change contracts should receive a 1% pay rise for the 2021-22 pay round. The RB, which advises ministers on NHS pay, is due to make its recommendations by the end of June.

The RCN is campaigning for a 12.5% pay rise for all NHS staff across the UK and has funded almost 1,000 members to participate in its campaign and leadership training launched in April. The training is designed to help nurses identify issues important to them such as pay, staffing levels, and employment rights and safety, and how they can fight for change.

Denise Kelly, a nurse from Northern Ireland who is taking part in the training, said: ‘This is about educating, engaging and empowering our members to effect positive change by organising at a local level.’


Find out more about the 3 July protests and planned events in your area

Find your nearest NHS Anniversary Protests 2021


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