NHS 60th Anniversary opens with 'Sicko' success

by Chris Bartter

Over 250 people crammed into Glasgow's Film Theatre in mid January to take advantage of UNISONScotland's free offer to watch Michael Moore's latest film 'Sicko'.

Promoted via UNISON's own network and also listed and promoted by the GFT, the film was screened as an opener to this 60th Anniversary year of the founding of the NHS.

Its message - that the private delivery of healthcare in the United States leaves huge numbers of people with no adequate cover, even if they have health insurance - demonstrated how vital it is that the founding principles of our NHS are upheld. A point that was echoed by the invited speakers in a short debate after the film.

Margaret Curran MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health said that she hoped that there was consensus in Scotland around a health service free to all at the point of delivery.

A point that was echoed by Bill Kidd MSP, who was standing in for Nicola Sturgeon MSP, the Cabinet Secretary for Health.

Dr. David Conway, Scottish Vice Chair of the Socialist Health Association, emphasised the need to address the broader agenda of public health.

He also backed the NHS but warned that we had to be vigilant to combat the increasingly predatory advances of the private health sector, and private finance.

Lilian Macer, UNISON's Scottish Vice Convenor said, "It was a very successful opening celebration of 60 years of our NHS, and cemented UNISON's position as the spokesperson for staff working in Health Care."

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