Public sector workers have joined forced to warn the prime minister that constant criticism is undermining staff morale.

The police, nurses and other public service workers called for a "major and sustained campaign to champion public servants".

In his reply, Tony Blair said: "I promise the government will work with you to address the problems you've identified...I promise, too, that we share your ambition of a stable, well trained and well motivated workforce delivering public services of the highest possible quality."

Forum Response: King's Fund

A spokesperson for the Kings Fund told ePolitix.com: "We are very encouraged to see the prime minister engaging positively with the NHS and its staff. Hopefully this will bear fruit by both boosting morale within the NHS and attracting more and more people to seek public service employment."

Forum Response: Unison

Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, told ePolitix.com: "Although we welcome the prime minister's comments, he needs to be aware of the continuing mixed messages coming from his government which causes confusion to patients and staff in the NHS.

"What we need to see is less headline grabbing and more concentration on getting the investment in improving the state of the service as soon as possible."

Forum Response: Royal College of Nursing

Dr Beverly Malone, general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, told ePolitix.com: "Without the support of a stable, well-trained, well-motivated workforce the government's efforts to modernise public services, no mater how determined, will have limited success.

"The public sector is vital to the health and infrastructure of the country. The government must not allow the service to be eroded further."