Network Journal 2008 Issue 3 May/June

ADM 2008: Spotlight on NHS

One of the biggest and most wide-ranging debates at ADM was on the national health service with 12 propositions on the final agenda paper covering everything from abortion to TVs in hospitals.

A change in the current abortion legislation so that the signature of only one GP would be required to authorise a termination was proposed by Leann Dando (Cardiff Tesco House Sata).

"The requirement to have two GP signatures is antiquated and a pointless paper exercise," she said. Speakers came out on both sides of the debate and in the closest vote at conference delegates voted, after a card vote, by the narrowest of margins in favour of the proposition.

The air ambulance service won the support of conference after Stephen Francis (Midlands Wincanton Logistics) called for state funding of this service. "Currently the service is funded by a combination of donations from charities and local businesses," he said. "The annual running cost is £1.4m with no Government or national lottery funding."

Ann Poole (North Hampshire) called on the union to lobby Government to provide funding to allow doctor's surgeries to test for allergies. "This could solve a lot of problems and reduce suffering," she said.

Bob Jones (Somerset General) informed ADM that private care homes do not have the protection of the Human Rights Act and told of how his once independent and feisty mother had been reduced to a weak and vulnerable woman after she was placed in a care home. "These homes should be covered by the Act because that vulnerable person might one day be you," he said.

Angela Thomas (Swansea General) condemned the cost of hospital parking fees. "Visitors who have to attend hospitals on a regular basis should be able to park free of charge," she said. "Having to pay parking fees adds to your costs and increases your stress levels."

On a similar note Elaine Curran (NW Tesco Retail No.3) said that car parking should be set at an hourly rate so drivers only have to pay for the time they are there. "Some hospital trusts are earning more than £2m a year from parking fees," she said. "In Wales car parking is free why don't we introduce it UK wide?"

Philip Stone (Portsmouth and Wight PT) drew attention to the closure of military hospitals by successive governments. "The Royal Hospital Haslar in Gosport should be re-opened as a matter of urgency before it is sold for development into luxury housing," he said.

Adrian Brown (West Surrey) called for the Government to ensure that there are at least two dental practices in each town. "This could be done by making those who have just qualified work in an NHS practice for a minimum of two years before allowing them to work privately."

Student and activist Sachin Patel wants to see free prescriptions introduced for all those in full-time education. "Students don't have a regular income and struggle to make ends meet," he said.

The dangers of using sunbeds, especially for under 16s, was highlighted by Angela Thomas (Swansea General). "There are 60,000 new cases of skin cancer reported every year," she said. "We are seeing more and more younger patients being diagnosed. We want to see legislation which bans under 16s from using sunbeds and a public awareness campaign launched to educate people about the dangers they pose."

Yvonne Livingstone (Reading General) called on the Government to provide more funding for stem cell research. "Some cancers, Parkinson's and Alzheimar's diseases and many others could be helped by more stem cell research."

Low paid workers are being exploited because of the extortionate charges for TV in hospitals, Patricia Page (NW Marks and Spencer) told delegates. "Patients are being forced to pay way over the odds for TV and telephones," she said. "It's unacceptable and cannot be justified and it's the lowest paid who are hardest hit. If patients have to pay they should only have to pay for the time they use the facilities and not have to pay for them in blocks."

All 12 propositions were carried.

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