Commenting on news that physiotherapy staff working for all health boards in Wales will hold a one-day strike on 7th February, Welsh Conservative Shadow Health Minister Russell George MS said:
“It is a shame the Labour Government in Cardiff Bay was unable to prevent this declaration of strike action by physiotherapists. The same goes for nurses. And midwives. And ambulance workers. And teachers.
“I know this is a difficult situation across the UK, but we must remember, that this is Labour’s responsibility and, on its watch, Wales has been left in a worse position – we’ve just recorded the worst A&E and ambulance response times on record and we have Britain’s longest waiting list.
“I fear that until Labour ministers retire the weathered handbook that says ‘blame Westminster’ whenever they are challenged for its poor record in office, these strikes won’t end, public services will not recover, and the people of Wales will continue paying the price.”
The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), which represents 1,500 physiotherapy staff within the Welsh NHS and achieved a strike mandate in December after members.
