{"id":4977,"date":"2020-10-25T13:52:17","date_gmt":"2020-10-25T13:52:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.satellite.mmu.ac.uk\/northernquota-old\/2020\/10\/25\/nhs-staff-demonstrate-manchester-we-will-be-overwhelmed-again\/"},"modified":"2022-09-16T15:15:40","modified_gmt":"2022-09-16T14:15:40","slug":"nhs-staff-demonstrate-manchester-we-will-be-overwhelmed-again","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/satellite.mmu.ac.uk\/northernquota-old\/nhs-staff-demonstrate-manchester-we-will-be-overwhelmed-again\/","title":{"rendered":"NHS staff demonstrate in Manchester: ‘we will be overwhelmed again’"},"content":{"rendered":"

NHS workers from across the Greater Manchester region have criticised the government\u2019s lack of support for the North West.<\/p>\n

Protesters gathered in Picadilly Gardens on Saturday<\/a> to express dismay at the unilateral decision to move Greater Manchester into Tier 3 \u2013 where the toughest restrictions are in place.<\/p>\n

The new measures were brought in as infection rates in the region continue to increase. In the week ending October 20<\/a>, every borough in Greater Manchester was at least one-and-a-half times the national average.<\/p>\n

The increase in infection rates is putting huge strain on the region’s hospitals and key workers.<\/p>\n

\"woman,
Emma Runswick, a junior doctor, speaking to protesters         Picture: Valentine Fourreau<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Speaking to the Northern Quota, Emma Runswick, an NHS junior doctor in the Bolton area, said the region\u2019s health services were struggling.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have been overwhelmed and we will be overwhelmed again,” she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe difficulties that we are facing are vast \u2013 not just with rising infection rates. We have a pretty good PPE supply in the Bolton area, but we can\u2019t guarantee if that will continue.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr Runswick said the \u00a322m allocated to improvement of the \u201ctrack and trace\u201d mechanism was not enough.<\/p>\n

She said: \u201cWe need a system that supports people in order to maintain public health, rather than a system that leaves people on their own.\u201d<\/p>\n

\nhttps:\/\/satellite.mmu.ac.uk\/northernquota-old\/sites\/default\/files\/emma_runswick.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n

Other NHS workers addressed protestors at the demonstration to oppose the government\u2019s move.<\/p>\n

Dan, a nurse working in Salford, said that \u201cpeople make up the NHS, not the government.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Dan, NHS nurse from Salford says: “The people make up our NHS not the government. I support calls for a 15% pay rise for all NHS staff.” #mcrwontpayforthecrisis<\/a> @northernquota<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/8zeq7hZAkq<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\u2014 Georgina Randall (@gforvendetta_) October 24, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n