Press release
Health Secretary addresses Liverpool Catholic healthcare workers
By Peter Heneghan
‘The NHS is about people and people matter’ was the message at the heart of an address given by Health Secretary, Andy Burnham, to an audience of people from Catholics in Healthcare at Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral (Sunday, 18 October 2009). The Leigh MP was speaking at the invitation of Liverpool’s Auxiliary Bishop, Tom Williams, at the first of a regular series of events to show support for Catholics who work in the NHS.
Mr Burnham began by thanking people for the work they do saying: ‘we do not take enough time to say “thank you” and it is important that we come together for the future of the NHS to make it stronger and better’. In paying tribute to that work he spoke of a ten day ‘work shadowing’ exercise which he had done some years ago as a junior Health Minister. He had been in a Manchester Hospital working with porters for the day where he said he learned not only of the work they do but also of the pride which they have in working for the NHS. He said: ‘when we think of the NHS we tend to think of the very front line, doctors and nurses but we need to think of the whole team: chaplains, cleaners, porters, managers and administrative staff’.
‘The values on which the NHS was founded were drawn from the Church,’ he continued ‘all people regardless of means are taken in and given care and support. We only take out what we need so that resources remain in the system for others.’ He continued saying that he believes that these principles have stronger support than ever today and that the NHS can be an inspiration to others.
Looking to the future he said he wanted medical care to become more preventative and people centred both in terms of staff and patients. He looked to the continuing evolution of a system which is responsive to the needs of individual patients and empowering of staff. He said that ‘staff need to be involved and empowered and that change should not be imposed from on high as we achieve more together than we do alone’. He praised staff for caring for patients in the same way as they would care for their own relatives.
Speaking of criticism of the NHS where people fear that the basic values and ethos are being eroded he pointed to the new NHS Constitution launched last year which he said would put the values of the Service beyond doubt in legislation. ‘The NHS Constitution states clearly that we value each person as an individual, respecting their commitments in life and seeking to understand their priorities and needs. Working together, we can make sure this commitment is put into action every day across health and care services.’
In responding to a question from the audience he assured people of the future of Chaplaincy Services in hospitals. He said he had received approaches calling for them to be scrapped in a time of economic crisis and the funding diverted to other services. His clear response was ‘not on my watch!’
Bishop Williams, who Chairs the Bishops’ Conference Healthcare Reference Group, thanked the Health Secretary for his positive address saying that he looked forward to continuing to build on the existing partnerships between the Church and those working in the NHS. The afternoon concluded with a celebration of Mass with a strong emphasis on thanksgiving for those who work in healthcare.