Speaking after it emerged that health trusts are preparing to make savings of up to 12% over three years, Gerry Carroll said:
"I was proud to stand outside the Royal Hospital this morning, alongside healthcare workers who are resisting cuts to our public services. Stripping 4% out of the health service every year for three years is not an efficiency drive and it will not fix the crisis we’re facing. This is a punitive programme of cuts, and workers and patients will carry the cost. It won't be lost on anyone that as nurses ballot for strike action, Trusts are paying private consultancy companies hundreds of thousands of pounds to advise on cuts and the Director of the SPPG has seen her pay soar by over £40,000 over the past two years. This is hypocrisy of the highest order.”
"Health unions are right to warn that the low paid will be first in the firing line. Porters, cleaners and admin workers are the people who keep hospitals running. If management cuts those jobs, nurses end up pushing trolleys instead of caring for patients.”
“Families already waiting years for treatment and older people relying on a few hours of care a week will be asked to pay the price of these so-called efficiencies. The Executive should be demanding a needs-based, multi-year budget and taxing wealth to fund it. People Before Profit will always back health workers taking a stand and fighting for the future of our health service.”