Following the recent media coverage of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) being placed into special measures by the Welsh government, as Regional Convenor of UNISON Cymru/Wales and as Branch Secretary of BCUHB, I wish to send a message expressing solidarity to all our members working in the Welsh NHS.
This decision by Welsh government, we believe, is no reflection on NHS staff – at BCUHB or the NHS as a whole. Every member of staff works tirelessly to deliver the highest standard of professional and person-centred patient care, free at the point of delivery.
The NHS is one team. Every role plays a part in delivering an essential service service to the people of Wales.
Our union acknowledges the impact of stressful working conditions and negative media coverage on staff morale.
As an NHS worker, I know that the NHS is being propped up on the goodwill and dedication of staff. We are undervalued and have endured experiences in the last 5 years that many of us could not have imagined.
It is essential we recognise the distinction between the problems in our NHS and the efforts of staff to deliver excellent patient care in difficult circumstances.
In the words of the great Nye Bevan, “the NHS will last as long as there are folks to fight for it.”
In UNISON Cymru/Wales, we continue that fight.
Yours in solidarity,
Jan Tomlinson
Regional Convenor – UNISON Cymru/Wales
