Full house for UNISON and Nottingham Keep Our NHS Public Nottingham premiere of NHS cuts film
UNISON Nottinghamshire Healthcare and Unison Nottingham University Hospitals Trust Branches successfully co-launched ‘Under the Knife’ during the week of 14 October – a hard-hitting documentary, narrated by award-winning actor Alison Steadman, which looks at how the NHS is struggling as a result of years of under-funding and privatisation.
Around 300 people attended two free public screenings were organised by Nottingham Keep Our NHS Public (KONP) and funded by UNISON Nottingham University Hospitals and Nottinghamshire Healthcare Branches. It was followed by a Question and Answer panel with Greg Marshall – Broxtowe Labour Parliamentary candidate and UNISON activist; Lisa Clarke – nurse and UNISON member at the Queens Medical Centre; Mick Scott from KONP; and Dave Ratchford – UNISON Regional Officer.
The film charts the beginnings of the NHS by Labour’s Health Minister, Aneurin Bevan, through to the controversial Health and Social Care Act of 2012. UNISON Nottinghamshire Healthcare branch secretary Andrea Dickens said: “This is a real call to action for all of us. The biggest obstacle is feeling like we can’t do anything – but we can. Join your union; join KONP. Get involved and have your say!”
Lisa Clarke & Rachel Perry Doyle (Unison Area Organiser) meet KONP