‘Like working for a big family’

Royal Sussex County Hospital – and cake

Staff at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton were presented with a giant NHS 70^th birthday cake from Unite today (July 5).

Staff in the pharmacy and pathology departments tucked into the cake during their breaks as part of the celebrations for the health service’s seventh decade.

Biomedical scientist and Unite rep Ian Evans delivered the cake to the hospital.

‘Let them eat cake!’ Ian brings it in for staff

Presenting the cake to staff, Evans said, “The union basically wanted to say thank you to you and other staff in the hospital for the brilliant work you all do. I’m proud to be part of the NHS and I know you guys are too.”

Consultant pharmacist Anja St Clair–Jones praised Evans, saying he has provided “amazing support in all sorts of really difficult situations”.

She said, “We’ve had a tough two years and Unite has been amazing, really strengthening what we wanted to do.”

Unite member and lead nurse Sue Heel said she was pleased to have spent nearly her entire working life in the health service.

‘Really proud’

She said, “I started working in the NHS in 1973. I had a couple of career breaks and I’ve been in this job for 16 years. I’m really proud that I’m still here to see the 70^th anniversary of the NHS.”

Taking a cake break

Unite delegates at the nearby policy conference also praised the NHS and raised concerns over its future.

Troy Davies, who sits on the West Midlands health and safety and disability committees, said the NHS had “saved my life twice”.

Davies added, “My partner also works for the NHS. She’s so proud of what she does. The hours she puts in go above and beyond of what she should do. (NHS staff) are exceptional and these people need to recognised. The NHS needs to stay in public hands. Let’s fight for it.”

Delegate Nicola Redwood provides IT support to GP practises across London.

Redwood said, “I love working for the NHS because we all stick together and it’s like a big family. When we’re having problems, everybody supports each other. But conditions are so bad now because of the damage the Tories have caused, that many of my colleagues just want to leave. We need to save the NHS.”

See and hear what some of our Royal Sussex Hospital Unite members had to say

See and hear from our delegates