Campaigning is underway to oppose the rather misnamed ‘Health & Care Bill’, starting with a National Online Rally next Wednesday 8th September.
The Health & Care Bill is likely to lead to even greater privatisation with private companies being allowed onto NHS Boards, so we can expect to see even more big contracts handed out without any competition, just like the billions wasted on ‘Test & Trace’.
PROTECT THE NHS RALLY
SCRAP THE HEALTH AND CARE BILL
Register now for this webinar rally:
As well as the threat of privatisation the Bill will lead to a major loss of local accountability and control with decision making and budgets concentrated in huge new bodies called Integrated Care Systems covering millions of people. The chronic staff shortages after a decade of underfunding are barely addressed and the Mental Health and Social Care crisis is barely mentioned,
However the Bill is very good news for some health service bosses – as the Health Service Journal has just revealed that the new Chief Executives of the powerful Integrated Care Systems, like North West London can expect to earn up to £270,000!!
National Campaign, ‘Keep Our NHS Public‘, has organised this excellent online Rally with a great line-up of speakers that brings together, campaigners, NHS workers and politicians.
Speakers Include:
Julie Hesmondhalgh, Actor
Michael Rosen, Writer
Dr Tony O’Sullivan (KONP)
Jonathan Ashworth MP Shadow Secretary of State for Health
Alia Butt (NHS Staff Voices)
Steve Cowan, Council Leader
Mark Ladbrooke, Chair Socialist Health Association
Cat Hobbs, Director of We Own It
Holly Turner (NHS Workers Say No)
Dr Philippa Whitford MP (SNP)
Dr David Wrigley (BMA)
Dr Sonia Adesara (KONP)
John Lister, Health Campaigns Together & The Lowdown
This is the start of what will hopefully be a big campaign so please try and attend and spread the word.
Register for this webinar rally HERE
NHS DATA GRAB ON HOLD INDEFINITELY AFTER MILLIONS OPT OUT!
More than 1.2 million people have opted out of NHS GP data-sharing in just one month over the Summer, which is amazing and a big success for the campaign to protect our medical records. Under the proposed Government scheme, launched in May and officially called the General Practice Data for Planning and Research service, anyone registered with a GP in England could have potentially had their personal health data shared with private companies.
According to the latest Guardian report the plans have been put on hold indefinitely, but it doesn’t mean they have been totally dropped so we still need to be vigilant. We will continue to keep you updated.
‘WE WONT WAIT! – SUPP0RT THE CAMPAIGN FOR NHS FUNDING TO BRING DOWN WAITING LISTS
Anti privatisation campaigners ‘We Own It‘ are launching a new campaign this Saturday for proper funding to bring down waiting list. There are now over 5.5 million people waiting for treatment and the figure continues to rise. Instead of funding beds and staff the Government has awarded huge contracts to the private sector worth up to £ 10 billion.
Tens of thousands of hospital beds are being unused whilst shareholders rub their hands. We have recently seen figures that show that our local NHS Trust has one of the highest levels on unused beds in the country so we will certainly be asking them questions.
‘We Own It‘ are keen to hear stories from patients waiting for treatment or have been forced to pay for private treatment.
Campaign launch this Saturday 4th September , 12-1.00pm opposite Old Palace Yard, Parliament, Westminster
More details of the campaign can be found here
A SUCCESSFUL HANWELL CARNIVAL DESPITE THE RAIN:
Despite the rainy August weather lots of people visited our stall to chat, take our latest leaflets and show their support. Our latest photo opportunity was a big hit with the kids and some adults too.
Here are just a few of the children who enjoyed being skeletonized!!!
