THE CONSULTANTS work to rule is now entering its foorth week, and their action is beginning to bite.
In Greenwich, for example, nearly 2000 people are now waiting for operations, and in Coventry, the large neurosurgery and heart units are only taking emergencies. This shows the situation in many hospitals throuphout Britain, where admissions have generaily been cut by half, and waiting lists doubled.
The working class is bearing the burden, as the consultants continue their sabotage of the NHS in defence of private practice.
WEAKENING There are signs that the consultants: are weakening, as they realise that they do not have the support of the mass of people. At the last BMA council of war, the ranks were in disarray, following Barbara Castles repeated refusal to go back on the principle that full time services for the NHS should be financially rewarded.
Dr B.E. Lewis, chairman of the Negotiating Sub-committee, suggested they should abandon the discussions for a new contract, and just try to get as big a pay rise as possible in April. But Dr R.J. Sellick was 'astounded by this turn around", and said he 'dared not go back to Fast Anglia with the message as it apparently stood.
There was even disagreement about why they were working to rule in the first place! Eventually if was decided that sanctions would not be lifted until the negotiators were satisfied that they had the "goodwill of the Government. Talks have now been resumed at their request along these lines.
Thate is a danger that Barbara Castle will be taken in by this appar operation. She should have refuse outtunts were brought to heel and sanctions lifted. She mast now demand that the principles of the new contract be implemented ummediately.
There should be no pay increase for any doctor doing private practice, and other doctors should put in a claim in line with the nurses, who need a E15 across-the-board increase to bring their minimum wage to E35.
PRIVATE BANS Now the consultants are beginning to retreat, it is even more necessary that the working class steps up its attack and drives home the final body blow. Health workers are already operating private practice bans in the North West, Bath, Nottingham, Derbyshire, Manchester, Crewe, Hampshire, Lincoln, Bury, and London.
The fight apainst private practice and the defence of their health service must however be the concern of the whole labour movement.
Committee against Private Practice is organising a mass rally and picker on 22 February in London against the consultants' action and private practice, This is being supported by trade unionists like Brian Nicholson (T&GWU), Jack Collins (NUM), and Ernie Roberts (AUEW), as well as trades councils (c.g. Harrow) and the Socialist Medical Association.
In South London, building workers are calling a meeting in the area to raise these issues in the labour movement and mobilise for the demonstration, Hammersmith Trades Council is holding a public mecting on 18 February around the crisis in the NHS and a workers enquiry sub-committee has been set up to investigate the effects of private practice on the local health services.
Similar initiatives should be taken in other parts of the country, with local action on 22 February in support of the London demonstration Now is the time for united working class action to smash the consultants" stranglehold on the NHS, and put an end once and for all to all forms of private practice.
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