Rishi Sunak confronted by NHS patient on nurses’ pay during hospital visit
Rishi Sunak was confronted by a 77-year-old NHS patient on nurses’ pay during a visit to a hospital in south London.
Catherine Poole, who is recovering from surgery at Croydon University Hospital, said “it’s a pity you don’t pay them more” when asked how the nurses were treating her.
The prime minister insisted “we are trying”, but was given a short lecture from the pensioner.
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“No, you are not trying, you need to try harder,” she told him.
Mr Sunak went on to say that the NHS was important. “Yes, and look after it,” Ms Poole replied.
Thousands of nurses across the country are voting on strike action, as healthcare workers call for a pay rise amid soaring inflation.
Research commissioned by the Royal College of Nursing suggested that they are working an extra day a week for no more pay.
The data also suggests their wages have fallen 20% in real terms, based on a five-day week.
The NHS could also be in line for a further tightening of budgets, as Chancellor Jeremy Hunt eyes ways to fill a multi-billion pound fiscal black hole.
Mr Sunak dodged a question about nurses’ pay, when pushed by broadcasters following the exchange.
Asked if he was happy that nurses are not getting a real-terms increase in pay, he said: “It is brilliant to be here at Croydon Hospital, to see the great work of the doctors and nurses here.
“One of the priorities for my government is going to be tackling the COVID backlogs and supporting the NHS.
“We face lots of challenges as a country, but I am confident that we can fix the economy and deliver on the promise of the 2019 manifesto, including having a stronger NHS.”
Mr Sunak received a more positive reaction from other patients.
Rishi Sunak poses for a selfie with patient Sreeja Gopalan.
Pic: AP
At one bed, 46-year-old Sreeja Gopalan told him: “I am waiting to see you.”
“I am proud of you,” she said, as she took a selfie with the prime minister.
The visit came as Downing Street confirmed Mr Sunak has scrapped his pledge to charge people for missing GP appointments.
During the summer Conservative leadership contest, Mr Sunak pledged to introduce a £10 fine.
Among the critics, the British Medical Association (BMA) said the plans would “make matters worse” and threaten the principle of free NHS care at the point of need.
The prime minister wants to deliver a stronger NHS and the “sentiment remains people should not be missing appointments”, according to his spokesperson.
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But they added: “We have listened to GPs and NHS leaders and agreed now is not the time to take this policy forward.”
As chancellor, Mr Sunak brought in a 1.25% increase in National Insurance to help pay for fixing COVID backlogs in health and social care.
Former prime minister Liz Truss reversed the measure because of the cost of living crisis.
“Super high-IQ revolutionaries” who are willing to work 80+ hours a week are being urged to join Elon Musk’s new cost-cutting department in Donald Trump’s incoming US government.
The X and Tesla owner will co-lead the Department Of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.
And in a post on X, the official DOGE account put out a call to arms for people to sign up and help “dismantle government bureaucracy”.
The post said: “We are very grateful to the thousands of Americans who have expressed interest in helping us at DOGE.
“We don’t need more part-time idea generators.
“We need super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries willing to work 80+ hours per week on unglamorous cost-cutting.
“If that’s you, DM this account with your CV. Elon & Vivek will review the top 1% of applicants.”
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Elon Musk speaking at an event held at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. Pic: AP Photo/Alex Brandon
In a reply to an interested party, Mr Musk suggested the lucky applicants would be working for free.
“Indeed, this will be tedious work, make lost of enemies & compensation is zero,” the world’s richest man wrote.
“What a great deal!”
When announcing the new department, President-elect Donald Trump said Mr Musk and Mr Ramaswamy “will pave the way for my administration to dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies”.
Mr Musk has previously made clear his desire to see cuts to “government waste” and in a post on his X platform suggested he could axe as many as three-quarters of the more than 400 federal departments in the US, writing: “99 is enough.”
At least 10 people have been killed after a fire broke out at a retirement home in northern Spain in the early hours of this morning, officials have said.
A further two people were seriously injured in the blaze at the residence in the town of Villafranca de Ebro in Zaragoza, according to the Spanish news website Diario Sur.
Two people remain in a critical condition following the blaze. Pic: AP
They remain in a critical condition, while several others received treatment for smoke inhalation.
Firefighters were alerted to the blaze at the residence – the Jardines de Villafranca – at 5am (4am UK time) on Friday.
Several residents were treated for smoke inhalation. Pic: AP
Those who were killed in the fire died from smoke inhalation, Spanish newspaper Heraldo reported.
The residence is home to 82 elderly residents.
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The blaze started in one of the rooms, Fernando Beltran, the national government’s top official in the region, told reporters.
All of the victims were elderly residents, he added.
Relatives wait for news outside the care home. Pic: AP
Fire crews, paramedics and police officers remain on site, said a spokesperson for the regional government of Aragon who confirmed the fatalities.
It took firefighters several hours to extinguish the blaze, they said.
The cause of the fire is unknown and is being investigated.
At least 10 people have been killed after a fire broke out at a retirement home in northern Spain in the early hours of this morning, officials have said.
A further two people were seriously injured in the blaze at the residence in the town of Villafranca de Ebro in Zaragoza, according to the Spanish news website Diario Sur.
Two people remain in a critical condition following the blaze. Pic: AP
They remain in a critical condition, while several others received treatment for smoke inhalation.
Firefighters were alerted to the blaze at the residence – the Jardines de Villafranca – at 5am (4am UK time) on Friday.
Several residents were treated for smoke inhalation. Pic: AP
Those who were killed in the fire died from smoke inhalation, Spanish newspaper Heraldo reported.
The residence is home to 82 elderly residents.
Read more from Sky News:
Mass displacement in Gaza – people unsure where to go
Donald Trump picks vaccine sceptic as health secretary
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
The blaze started in one of the rooms, Fernando Beltran, the national government’s top official in the region, told reporters.
All of the victims were elderly residents, he added.
Relatives wait for news outside the care home. Pic: AP
Fire crews, paramedics and police officers remain on site, said a spokesperson for the regional government of Aragon who confirmed the fatalities.
It took firefighters several hours to extinguish the blaze, they said.
The cause of the fire is unknown and is being investigated.
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