Labour celebrates while nurses fight for their jobs

Release/Rhyddhau: 10/05/06

Contact/Cyswllt: Ceirion Rees:
029 2089 8342/ 07733280105/ ceirion.rees@wales.gov.uk 

Montgomeryshire AM, Mick Bates, has met with nurses fighting for their jobs at the new Senedd building in Cardiff Bay.  At the same time the Labour Assembly Government celebrated reduced waiting times with a select group of NHS staff.

Commenting Mick said:  "Labour held "a misleading and insensitive celebration" at a time when nurses from all over Wales, including Powys, came to the Assembly to fight for their jobs.

Whilst I salute the NHS managers for working hard to reduce the waiting times, the figures given hide a myriad of hidden waiting periods for people. Waiting times are down but are still the longest in Western Europe.

"Spending money on a lavish celebration seems inappropriate when deficits are spiralling out of control and Nurses feel their vital jobs are under threat. It is particularly insensitive to invite managers but not the nurses who are at the sharp end and without whom the modest improvements would not have been possible."