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Network Journal 2007 Issue 3 May/June |
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ADM 2007: Health matters to members
Delegates heard impassioned speeches on Alzheimer’s disease, childhood cancer, privatisation and medical treatment during the NHS debate.
Michael Green (Northern Morrisons) appealed for sufferers of Alzheimer's disease to be given medication sooner rather than later. "It is far better to give the drugs in the disease's early stages because in the long run it is better for the patient," he said.
Margaret Myler (NW Argos Sata) said she had lost two of her family members to the disease. "It strips the victims of their dignity and the whole family suffers. It's heartbreaking to watch your loved ones 'disappear' in front of your eyes."
Sylvia Bew (South East London General) agreed and told a similarly harrowing story. "A woman I knew was a former lecturer at Cambridge University - Alzheimer's doesn't care who it attacks. It's terrible to lose someone and they don't even know who you are."
Delegate and grandmother Catherine Reeves (Bath) fought back tears to tell the tragic story of her granddaughter Amelia-Rose who died of the childhood cancer Neuroblastoma. "This little known cancer kills around 100 children, usually aged under five, every year," she said. "It killed my four year-old granddaughter less than two years after she was diagnosed with this painful, invasive and mostly fatal disease."
She called on the Government to increase the awareness of and funding for treatment of the disease. "I don't want my Amelia-Rose to have died in vain. The Neuroblastoma Society depends on individual donations as it is not funded by the Government. It has around 400 members who have raised around £500,000." ADM gave Catherine a standing ovation.
Terry Gilder (Cardiff Central) condemned the cutbacks in the NHS and the increasing levels of privatisation. "We as trade unionists have to defend the NHS and support any action by health workers to stop the cutbacks and privatisation."
Pat Buttle (North Eastern divisional councillor) agreed. "Health is everything," she said. "Speak to your local MP and campaign against the privateers. We need a mass campaign to stop privatisation now."
John Bond (Hayes Food) said when he injured his knee he would have had to wait months to see a consultant and 18 months for the operation. "My company sent me privately and within two weeks I had seen a consultant, the same one I would have had to wait months to see under the NHS. I had five star treatment but I felt guilty that I was jumping the queue."
Edwina Fairbrass (South West London) called for an end to 'medical apartheid' which sees drugs dispensed to some people but not others. "Diseases like cancer are bad enough but to be denied life-prolonging drugs because of where you live is totally unacceptable. Drugs do have a cost but lives don't."
Other speakers included; Ellen Shaw, Diane Steel, Graham Parkin, and Jacqueline Martin.
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