Build a Modern NHS

The foundation of the NHS remains one of the most significant achievements of the working class.

In the period running up to its establishment, it was opposed by powerful capitalist interests, private health profiteers and political representatives of capitalism.

Their opposition was based on the idea that everything, including health, should have a price and should be rationed to make profit for the super-rich. They did not end their opposition at the foundation of the NHS which continues unabated to the present day.

History has taught us that the only true defenders of the NHS are its original champions - the working class, the labour and trade union movement and committed health service campaigners. Defence of our health service and securing its future for the next generations will depend on the same interested parties who created it.

With this in mind, conference commits to playing its role in fighting for a national health service. 

Conference pledges to fight for:

• A modern nationalised health service free at the point of use and funded by universal taxation.
• A comprehensive service that covers all health requirements.
• The return of those elements of the health service that vested interests have outsourced.
• Nationalisation of the pharmaceutical industry as part of fundamental health service provision
• Recognition of the rights of communities to have comprehensive services provided in appropriate locations. 
• Centring the health service on our heroic health workers who have provided outstanding service in the most difficult conditions.
• Democratic control and management of the health service to be in the hands of patients, communities, health service workers, trade union representatives and political representatives.