Scotland stands up for its NHS

You could hear the noise of the tartan army as Scottish Health branches took to the streets of Westminster on the 3 November UK Demo in defence of the NHS.

The Scottish delegation cut a swathe through the streets to the skirl of the pipes and drums, resplendent in UNISON t-shirts bearing the legend "Stand Up for NHS Scotland" and with banners waving from the Scottish Health Committee, and a number of Scottish branches.

Tam Waterson, Scottish Chair of Health said, "The English model of healthcare has no place North of the Border"

Regional Convenor Mike Kirby joined health branches marching through the sun drenched streets. "The NHS is a key citizenship issue and, in Scotland, we pride ourselves on the quality of public service we enjoy. The market and profit taking from health care is not what the people of Scotland wish to see."

In a keynote address to the rally in a packed Trafalgar Square, Lilian Macer, Chair of UNISON NHS Lanarkshire and UNISON's UK Health Group said, "The NHS of Aneurin Bevan is still fit for purpose north of the border. Our neighbours in Wales and Northern Ireland are still much closer to NHS UK 1948 than NHS England 2007." See more photos at www.unison-scotland.org.uk.

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