No to blood money: Founder's vision for blood service

As privatisation of the national blood service still looms, it is worth remembering that the founder of the service did so to ensure blood was donated for the common good, rather than money.

Capitalism, a Sonnet by Helen Moore‏

chemical Macaque             glaxosmithkline
roche       trepanned-brain Baboon

NHS changes - dog eat dog & vice versa

For the ultimate in weasel words read Nick Clegg’s speech yesterday in which he attempted to distance his flailing Liberal Democrat Party from the Coalition Government’s proposals to fragment the NHS: “It’s not the same as turning this treasured public service into a competition-driven, dog-eat-dog market where the NHS is flogged to the highest bidder” http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/2011/05/27/major-coalition-rift-over-nick-clegg-nhs-speech-115875-23159565/

Southampton Council Workers step up industrial action against Tory pay cuts

UNISON and Unite members employed in Southampton City Council this week have stepped up a programme of industrial action in opposition to imposed contracts which include swingeing pay cuts:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-13499122

Building trade union capacity in Swaziland

The Swazi trade union movement is emerging as an important player in the campaign to promote democracy, good governance and the rule of law and has strengthened its capacity to lead civil society and engage with the Government on crucial issues affecting the Swazi people. See here for a training and education initiative funded by the TUC that is supporting the process. http://www.tuc.org.uk/international/tuc-19603-f0.cfm

UNISON campaign halts closure of day centres

Plans to close two Leeds day centres for people with mental health problems have been put on hold after a campaign by UNISON and service users. http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/leeds_day_centre_closure_plans_put_on_hold_1_3408990

Join the vigil for the NHS

Health Unions are calling for a National Vigil to save the NHS on the evening of the third reading of Andrew Lansley’s Health and Social Care Bill. The Bill is now being redrafted for the Report stage and a date has yet to be set for the third reading. The TUC's 'going to work' website is urging people to pledge to join the vigil. Sign up at http://action.goingtowork.org.uk/page/s/join-the-vigil-for-the-nhs

EU policy risks Irish default

CONGRESS general secretary David Begg has warned a major EU economic gathering that “Ireland is being pushed towards default” because of policies governing the EU/IMF/ECB bailout. While acknowledging that domestic policy failures played a key role in the crash, Mr Begg claimed the EU and European Central Bank also shared a responsibility, reports the ICTU's Union Post  http://www.ictu.ie/publications/fulllist/union-post-may-2011/

Spending on elderly care to more than double by 2050

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has published a report stating that spending on long-term elderly care in advanced economies such as Britain is set to double, even triple, by 2050, driven by ageing populations. Governments need to ensure they provide better support for family carers and social care workers: http://www.oecd.org/document/2/0,3746,en_21571361_44315115_47904908_1_1_1_1,00.html

The union fightback - bark or bite?

The Daily Telegraph responds to last week’s unanimous decision of PCS conference to hold a ballot on national strike action by posing the question – is union talk about a fight back against attacks on jobs, pay and pensions more bark than bite?http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/jobs/8529350/Britains-unions-may-struggle-to-find-support-for-a-summer-of-discontent.html

Cost of Trident doubles

This week Defence Minister Liam Fox confirmed that replacement Trident submarines would cost around double the previously stated price - now up to £25 billion.

Few Never Envy by Alan Morrison

All I have: this shabby room
furnished grandma-style:
carpet muddy umber,