75 years of the NHS, and the march to save it.

The Northern March for the NHS has been called by NHS Campaigners Keep Our NHS Public, Health Campaigns Together, SOS NHS and is backed by Yorkshire and Humber TUC over 24 union branches across the North.

Hundreds will march and rally in Leeds in support of health workers and celebrating the 75^th Birthday of the NHS.

Assembles at 11am at Leeds Town Hall with steel band music, welcome to marchers and a children’s craft stall making wands and placards.

March sets off at 12 noon, led by the PCS Samba Band, down Park Row, along Boar Lane to the Corn Exchange, up Vicar Lane then back along the Headrow.

Rally 1pm- 1.45pm  Leeds Town Hall Steps with speakers:

Rhian Wheater, Senior Sister and RCN Steward

Dr John Puntis, Co-Chair Keep  Our NHS Public and Doctors in UNITE

Adrian O’Malley, UNISON Branch Chair, Mid Yorks

Louise Lewis  , National Education Union National Executive Member for West Yorkshire

Dave Williams, Fire Brigades Union

Richard Burgon, Labour MP for East Leeds

Why we are marching:                                                                                                        

We support Health workers and call for an end to chronic underfunding of the NHS.

Safe staffing and pay justice for all health and care workers.

More beds.  The UK has 2.4 beds per 100,000 people, which is half the European average and massively fewer than France’s  5.7 and Germany’s 7.8.

Investment in the NHS not private health to stop the growth of a two tier health service based on ability to pay.

Restore the NHS to its founding principles: free, universal, publicly provided health care.

An end to the social care disgrace with a radically re-imagined national care, support and independent living service, which is free, fair and ‘not for profit’.

Supported by:

Yorkshire and Humber Regional TUC ,Trades Councils: Bradford and Shipley, Calderdale, Huddersfield, Leeds, Manchester, Leeds teaching Hospitals UNISON, Greater Manchester Mental Health UNISON, UNISON Mid Yorkshire Health Branch, Barnsley Branch Unison, University of Leeds Branch UNISON, UNITE, Leeds UNITE Health Branch, UNITE Community Leeds, York, Wakefield, Bakers’ Food and Allied Workers Union, Fire Brigades Union Yorkshire Region, National Education Union:- NEU Leeds, NEU Kirklees, NEU East Riding, North Yorkshire NEU, National Union of Rail Maritime and Transport Workers, Shop Workers USDAW Branch F148, University of Leeds UCU Branch, National Supply Teacher Network