National Campaigns
Letter to B and Hove Councillors re STP
Dear Councillor ,
You will be all too aware that NHS services in the city are reaching breaking point – the Royal Sussex and Princess Royal in special measures with a £37 million deficit; considerable and growing staffing vacancies; Patient Transport services with serious operational problems; mental health services contracting further (with the nearest detox beds now in Islington); Children and Young People’s services out to tender. And by no means least, the impact of the many GP practice closures round the city, and the fundamental restructuring of primary care services.
All this has to be set in the context of the imminent introduction of the Sustainability and Transformation Plan - the biggest re-organisation of the NHS since its inception and the most concealed from the vast majority of the population. No doubt many of you will have seen the Guardian article of yesterday which spelled out the sheer magnitude of the cuts, hospital closures, mergers and other changes to be implemented under STP. For those who haven’t yet seen it see the links below. Not mentioned in the articles is the certain acceleration of private sector takeover of NHS services and the drive towards a US-style healthcare system with all that entails – the major point of the exercise. The article further made clear that STplans are already ready to be implemented in some parts of the country with, whatever NHS England and the Govt may say, no meaningful consultation whatsoever. Our fear is that this is already happening locally and that the most of us will hear about it will be when it starts being rolled out. We are writing to the STP Board to this effect. This really is the end-game for our NHS unless we can all stop what is happening in its tracks.
The good news is that there is rapidly growing awareness and anger from councillors, communities, and campaigners (and we know some MPs) about what is happening to our NHS locally and nationally. A related Guardian article makes clear the building opposition - http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/aug/26/the-nhs-secret-is-out-local-communities-wont-like-it . At the Brunswick festival we were inundated all day with people wanting to discuss developments, to sign petitions and to join the group.
So why are we writing:
1) We would ask you to take a bit of your valuable time to have a look at these links.
· Links to the Guardian articles - https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/aug/26/nhs-plans-radical-cuts-to-fight-growing-deficit-in-health-budget and https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/aug/26/plan-to-transform-nhs-could-led-to-downgrade-of-major-london-hospitals
An excellent exposition of what is happening with STP and what can be done about it produced by 4 London boroughs.
· A Youtube film (15 minutes) of our 30th June “Our NHS going, going..” event, with well over 200 people attending and many people volunteering to help with the campaign. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzdbCJqXJSo
We also attach the flyer for our Children’s and Young People’s NHS services campaign. Could you please circulate this as widely as possible and support the march and lobby on September 20th. If you need more copies of the flyer please let us know.
2) We would like to suggest a forum for all councillors to discuss these developments and their implications. We would like to make clear that any expression of interest on your part would not assume any intention to get involved in any campaign on an ongoing basis. Please email to let us know if you would be interested in participating in such a forum or if you would like any more information
Athene Crouch, Tony Graham and Madeleine Dickens
on behalf of Sussex Defend the NHS
Dear Councillor ,
You will be all too aware that NHS services in the city are reaching breaking point – the Royal Sussex and Princess Royal in special measures with a £37 million deficit; considerable and growing staffing vacancies; Patient Transport services with serious operational problems; mental health services contracting further (with the nearest detox beds now in Islington); Children and Young People’s services out to tender. And by no means least, the impact of the many GP practice closures round the city, and the fundamental restructuring of primary care services.
All this has to be set in the context of the imminent introduction of the Sustainability and Transformation Plan - the biggest re-organisation of the NHS since its inception and the most concealed from the vast majority of the population. No doubt many of you will have seen the Guardian article of yesterday which spelled out the sheer magnitude of the cuts, hospital closures, mergers and other changes to be implemented under STP. For those who haven’t yet seen it see the links below. Not mentioned in the articles is the certain acceleration of private sector takeover of NHS services and the drive towards a US-style healthcare system with all that entails – the major point of the exercise. The article further made clear that STplans are already ready to be implemented in some parts of the country with, whatever NHS England and the Govt may say, no meaningful consultation whatsoever. Our fear is that this is already happening locally and that the most of us will hear about it will be when it starts being rolled out. We are writing to the STP Board to this effect. This really is the end-game for our NHS unless we can all stop what is happening in its tracks.
The good news is that there is rapidly growing awareness and anger from councillors, communities, and campaigners (and we know some MPs) about what is happening to our NHS locally and nationally. A related Guardian article makes clear the building opposition - http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/aug/26/the-nhs-secret-is-out-local-communities-wont-like-it . At the Brunswick festival we were inundated all day with people wanting to discuss developments, to sign petitions and to join the group.
So why are we writing:
1) We would ask you to take a bit of your valuable time to have a look at these links.
· Links to the Guardian articles - https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/aug/26/nhs-plans-radical-cuts-to-fight-growing-deficit-in-health-budget and https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/aug/26/plan-to-transform-nhs-could-led-to-downgrade-of-major-london-hospitals
An excellent exposition of what is happening with STP and what can be done about it produced by 4 London boroughs.
· A Youtube film (15 minutes) of our 30th June “Our NHS going, going..” event, with well over 200 people attending and many people volunteering to help with the campaign. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzdbCJqXJSo
We also attach the flyer for our Children’s and Young People’s NHS services campaign. Could you please circulate this as widely as possible and support the march and lobby on September 20th. If you need more copies of the flyer please let us know.
2) We would like to suggest a forum for all councillors to discuss these developments and their implications. We would like to make clear that any expression of interest on your part would not assume any intention to get involved in any campaign on an ongoing basis. Please email to let us know if you would be interested in participating in such a forum or if you would like any more information
Athene Crouch, Tony Graham and Madeleine Dickens
on behalf of Sussex Defend the NHS
The NHS Bill is being given a 10 minute Bill slot in parliament on Wednesday 13th July, as a cross-party bill presented by L MP Margaret Greenwood. See link
http://www.doctorsforthenhs.org.uk/news/nhs-bill-get-10-minutes-13-july/
Also Watch Video to support NHS bill .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbVrKoLrYVc&feature=youtu.be
Try to get to a rally outside parliament
This follows an all-party meeting to support the NHS Bill at the House of Commons on Tuesday 28th June
A well attended meeting heard Rachael Maskell MP pledge support for the Bill, Caroline Lucas again spoke of her support to re-establish the NHS free from the privateers.
Professor Modi, president of RCPCH, spoke of the harm that has been to paediatric services since the 2012 Health and Social Care Act (HSCA) was passed with increasing fragmentation disrupting the co-ordination of services essential for child health.
Clare Gerada gave more evidence of the harm done by the HSCA resulting in General Practice, once the Jewel in the Crown of the NHS being reduced to a service struggling to survive.
The best answer to these problems is the NHS Bill and Margaret Greenwood MP has now secured a Ten Minute Rule Slot for Wed 13 July. ‘Don’t hold your breath’ may be the cynical conclusion: but this represents movement in the right direction. The NHS Bill is not confined to the oblivion this government wants for it. And we will not be giving up any time soon.
See Dave and Jo's report on this meeting below
http://www.doctorsforthenhs.org.uk/news/nhs-bill-get-10-minutes-13-july/
Also Watch Video to support NHS bill .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbVrKoLrYVc&feature=youtu.be
Try to get to a rally outside parliament
This follows an all-party meeting to support the NHS Bill at the House of Commons on Tuesday 28th June
A well attended meeting heard Rachael Maskell MP pledge support for the Bill, Caroline Lucas again spoke of her support to re-establish the NHS free from the privateers.
Professor Modi, president of RCPCH, spoke of the harm that has been to paediatric services since the 2012 Health and Social Care Act (HSCA) was passed with increasing fragmentation disrupting the co-ordination of services essential for child health.
Clare Gerada gave more evidence of the harm done by the HSCA resulting in General Practice, once the Jewel in the Crown of the NHS being reduced to a service struggling to survive.
The best answer to these problems is the NHS Bill and Margaret Greenwood MP has now secured a Ten Minute Rule Slot for Wed 13 July. ‘Don’t hold your breath’ may be the cynical conclusion: but this represents movement in the right direction. The NHS Bill is not confined to the oblivion this government wants for it. And we will not be giving up any time soon.
See Dave and Jo's report on this meeting below
Brief Report of the Cross Party meeting on the NHS Bill on 28 June 2016
Dave Baker and Jozette Power attended the meeting. No problem getting in. Excellent having two of us there.
1 Overview
There were about 15 MPs including Graham Morris (LP Easington), Rachel Maskell (LP York Central), Caroline Lucas (Green Brighton Pav), Clive Lewis (LP Norwich South). Margaret Greenwood (LP Wirrall West). There was an SNP MP. Other names I did not catch. There were about 40 campaigners
2 Running Order of the meeting. Unexpectedly for me it was a series of rousing speeches. It was like an inaugural meeting or a rally to start the process to get the NHS Bill into Commons business. Little dialogue.
3 Speakers included:
Rachel, and Caroline to set the political scene
The impact of the Health and Social Care Act was dealt with by:
John Lister spoke about Campaigning. A rousing speech.
Colenzo Jarrett Thorpe from Unite
Alyson Pollock and Peter Roderick answered questions
4 I have notes on the details of each speech. They were all calls to action with details of the awful things that have been happening. In many cases worse than any of us know. I can tell people about this. Easier to mention salient issues.
Dave Baker Jozette Power 29 June 2016.
Dave Baker and Jozette Power attended the meeting. No problem getting in. Excellent having two of us there.
1 Overview
There were about 15 MPs including Graham Morris (LP Easington), Rachel Maskell (LP York Central), Caroline Lucas (Green Brighton Pav), Clive Lewis (LP Norwich South). Margaret Greenwood (LP Wirrall West). There was an SNP MP. Other names I did not catch. There were about 40 campaigners
2 Running Order of the meeting. Unexpectedly for me it was a series of rousing speeches. It was like an inaugural meeting or a rally to start the process to get the NHS Bill into Commons business. Little dialogue.
3 Speakers included:
Rachel, and Caroline to set the political scene
The impact of the Health and Social Care Act was dealt with by:
- Prof Neena Modi (President of royal College of Pediatricians) impact on children
- Prof Clare Gerada (President of Royal College of GPs) impact on GPs
- Jean Hardiman Smith on impact on patients
John Lister spoke about Campaigning. A rousing speech.
Colenzo Jarrett Thorpe from Unite
Alyson Pollock and Peter Roderick answered questions
4 I have notes on the details of each speech. They were all calls to action with details of the awful things that have been happening. In many cases worse than any of us know. I can tell people about this. Easier to mention salient issues.
- Its clear that the current plan is to pursue the NHS Bill in its entirety. There were no concerns that it would be watered down. Margaret Greenwood (LP Wirral West) would steer it through the process.
- Dianne Abbott as new Health Secretary would ensure that the LP would make this their bill.
- There used to be 50 applicants for GP places . Now I applicant for 50 places.
- There was a concerted attack on the market as a way of running health. Hidden transactions costs, inefficiency etc
- Patients are dying due to the Act
- STP the latest imposition on top will be used to make further cuts by seeking financial “balance”
- Devolution is a race to the bottom. They are forcing Public Health out of the NHS.
- The Bill would: get rid of provider purchaser split (1990); get rid of marketization; removing procurement and transaction costs; it would restore terms and conditions for health workers; top down reorganisation is happening now so the Bill would not make this worse;
Dave Baker Jozette Power 29 June 2016.
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Health Campaigns Together Agenda and Minutes of May 2016 meeting.
Download from item to the right |
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Newsletter on Progress of Health Campaigns Together
Download from item to the right |
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Minutes Health Campaigns Together Committee Meeting
Saturday 23 April 2016 11am to 2.15pm. Can download from item to the right. |
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Report on our attendance at the meeting with John McDonnell on 13 April 2016
John Donovan and Dave Baker 14 April 2016
Meeting was held in Parliament. There were problems. We knew the night before the meeting that John McDonnell (JM) had to lead a parliamentary session on the Panama papers so could only be with us for 30min. We had 30min with Joe Ryle JM’s PA. Then 30min with Heidi Alexander (HA) the Shadow Health Sec,. Then 30min with JM too. We also had an hour long pre-meeting.
1 The pre-meeting. After long discussions decided that Peter Roderick (lawyer from NHS Bill) would chair. The first session would enable all groups to present their issues to Joe Ryle so that he could summarise and present to JM. When HA arrived Alyson Pollock would present the NHS Bill and HA would be asked to respond. Then time for a conversation. With JM there would just be time for the conversation.
The group was 40 strong. Contained people with an amazing wealth of experience. It contained many campaigners, medics, nurses , academics, health workers, trade unionist, lawyers, Junior Drs (Yannis the BMA rep) etc.
2 In the session with Joe Ryle everyone had a go. John and Dave spoke about the importance of getting a loud visible support from the LP for campaigning. Raised events in Sussex including the Patient Transport and impact on patient’s lives. Issues were raised about: the loss of land and the financial implications of STP; get rid of marketization and purchaser provider split; the use of our group as a think tank and suggested that Health Campaigns Together could be the vehicle for this; the importance of the LP realizing that 84% of people supported the principles of the NHS Bill; asked why given “the NHS is the LP”, the NHS was not on the list of the 7 first policies being reviewed by the LP. Bob Gill asked whether we campaigners have faith in the LP given that HA relies on Simon Stevens (SS) and McKinsey et al. and we are moving towards an Insurance based system. The LP should reject McKinsey PWC, SS and the 5 Year Forward View (5YFV). Others stated that the DWP are accessing people’s confidential medical records for benefit s and job assessments.
3 In the session with HA the principles of the NHS were outlined. HA said that she had been ready to speak on the debate on the NHS Bill but it was filibustered out. She said she would not have opposed the bill but would have had it amended. Responsibility for the NHS should be given back to Sec of State. She agreed with an NHS free of charges. The NHS was at an all time low. The important thing was to get high quality health care, timely and efficient. The latter two in my view are “Management speak” for the market as the ensurer of efficiency. Further, she said that NHS workers could not face another reorganisation. She based this on the views of one NHS worker from Lewisham (a thin argument). Tony (a Dr from Lewisham) said he was also a health worker from Lewisham who accepted the NHs Bill and therefore this canceled out her data. Others stressed that as Health workers they had been subjected to so many bad reorganisations (STP meant more) that they would readily accept one good one. HA rejected this saying another reorganisation would cost money and further destabilise. HA said she wanted to halt privatisation in the way that Coproforma was brought in to PT in Sussex on the grounds of costs. She wants to find a solid way of funding the NHS. HA was also accused of speaking with McKinsey and PWC and not us.
4 In the session with JM (HA still there) we said that we wanted a full NHS; publically provided, publically managed; publically funded, and publically accountable. He said HA always has an open door and is a direct clear speaker. That’s why she is Shadow Health Sec He said the LP are trying to have a more discursive system where they can debate issues. He is fully committed to the principles of the NHS Bill. Its how we get from here to there. He wants to win people to the LP. To do this by 2020 they have 18 months of reviews to form policy and get consensus on policy. They are considering, as Tony Benn did, of having a range of Bills to present to parliament in opposition time like the NHS Bill and then these would form the LP Manifesto. Allyson Pollock has been an adviser to them. But a campaigners think-tank is an excellent idea. But of course all progress will depend on the economy.
Yannis the BMA rep asked that JM and HA wear Jun Drs support badges and come to the picket lines. HA refused. She would join picket lines as people will suffer by having operations postponed. She has supported the Jun Drs in the House of Commons.
JM said he would wear the badge and was committed to supporting picket lines. (not clear if he would come on 26th) He said
the LP has only had new leadership for 8 months. They had almost no support from the old Shadow cabinet and few from the Parliamentary LP. So things are moving. They need to change and bring people with them.
5 Overview.
5.1 As a group we were very bullish pursuing a range of stuff from the NHS reinstatement Bill to the Patient Transport stuff in the Guardian, to the NHS Bill, to STP, to the Drs strike.
5.2 A fascinating group of people. Spoke to many of them. It is interesting that once an area of the NHS like SMS is privatized it would be hard to return it to to an NHS system. Once structures are demolished it would be hard to resurrect them. Staff would have been lost, buildings and land and other resources asset stripped. Breaking up England in to 44 regions under STP will be awful if the regulations under which they operate are neo liberal as they are now. But given an opportunity such regulations could be reversed fairly quickly and the regions could then operate within an NHS system like Strategic Health Authorities.
5.3 JM was very impressive. Always calm, receptive balanced approach and at ease.
5.4 Hard to be positive about Heidi Alexander. She may not be a Blairite but she battled with us on all issues. Not impressive to me. She can talk for England and resisted every attempt we made to shift her on the NHS Bill or to support for Jun Drs. Some of her arguments were so thin e.g. basing her policies on a conversation with one nurse (a sample of one!!!).
6 Outcomes. JM said he wanted to use us as a Think Tank and promised us further meetings. That’s an advance given that HA has talks with McKinsey, PWC, she relies on Simon Stevens (the originator of STP) attends meetings of big private health providers and has only met us once before. JM seemed happy to be on the Jun Drs picket line. She refused as some people’s operations would be postponed. HA sees problems with the NHS Bill. A pity as this would be the real advance.
7 Possible next steps for us. National working group to work on getting next meeting
Local members in B&H LP to seek to work internally for Momentum policies and those in Hove to make sustained challenges to Peter Kyle’s views.
John Donovan and Dave Baker 14 April 2016
Meeting was held in Parliament. There were problems. We knew the night before the meeting that John McDonnell (JM) had to lead a parliamentary session on the Panama papers so could only be with us for 30min. We had 30min with Joe Ryle JM’s PA. Then 30min with Heidi Alexander (HA) the Shadow Health Sec,. Then 30min with JM too. We also had an hour long pre-meeting.
1 The pre-meeting. After long discussions decided that Peter Roderick (lawyer from NHS Bill) would chair. The first session would enable all groups to present their issues to Joe Ryle so that he could summarise and present to JM. When HA arrived Alyson Pollock would present the NHS Bill and HA would be asked to respond. Then time for a conversation. With JM there would just be time for the conversation.
The group was 40 strong. Contained people with an amazing wealth of experience. It contained many campaigners, medics, nurses , academics, health workers, trade unionist, lawyers, Junior Drs (Yannis the BMA rep) etc.
2 In the session with Joe Ryle everyone had a go. John and Dave spoke about the importance of getting a loud visible support from the LP for campaigning. Raised events in Sussex including the Patient Transport and impact on patient’s lives. Issues were raised about: the loss of land and the financial implications of STP; get rid of marketization and purchaser provider split; the use of our group as a think tank and suggested that Health Campaigns Together could be the vehicle for this; the importance of the LP realizing that 84% of people supported the principles of the NHS Bill; asked why given “the NHS is the LP”, the NHS was not on the list of the 7 first policies being reviewed by the LP. Bob Gill asked whether we campaigners have faith in the LP given that HA relies on Simon Stevens (SS) and McKinsey et al. and we are moving towards an Insurance based system. The LP should reject McKinsey PWC, SS and the 5 Year Forward View (5YFV). Others stated that the DWP are accessing people’s confidential medical records for benefit s and job assessments.
3 In the session with HA the principles of the NHS were outlined. HA said that she had been ready to speak on the debate on the NHS Bill but it was filibustered out. She said she would not have opposed the bill but would have had it amended. Responsibility for the NHS should be given back to Sec of State. She agreed with an NHS free of charges. The NHS was at an all time low. The important thing was to get high quality health care, timely and efficient. The latter two in my view are “Management speak” for the market as the ensurer of efficiency. Further, she said that NHS workers could not face another reorganisation. She based this on the views of one NHS worker from Lewisham (a thin argument). Tony (a Dr from Lewisham) said he was also a health worker from Lewisham who accepted the NHs Bill and therefore this canceled out her data. Others stressed that as Health workers they had been subjected to so many bad reorganisations (STP meant more) that they would readily accept one good one. HA rejected this saying another reorganisation would cost money and further destabilise. HA said she wanted to halt privatisation in the way that Coproforma was brought in to PT in Sussex on the grounds of costs. She wants to find a solid way of funding the NHS. HA was also accused of speaking with McKinsey and PWC and not us.
4 In the session with JM (HA still there) we said that we wanted a full NHS; publically provided, publically managed; publically funded, and publically accountable. He said HA always has an open door and is a direct clear speaker. That’s why she is Shadow Health Sec He said the LP are trying to have a more discursive system where they can debate issues. He is fully committed to the principles of the NHS Bill. Its how we get from here to there. He wants to win people to the LP. To do this by 2020 they have 18 months of reviews to form policy and get consensus on policy. They are considering, as Tony Benn did, of having a range of Bills to present to parliament in opposition time like the NHS Bill and then these would form the LP Manifesto. Allyson Pollock has been an adviser to them. But a campaigners think-tank is an excellent idea. But of course all progress will depend on the economy.
Yannis the BMA rep asked that JM and HA wear Jun Drs support badges and come to the picket lines. HA refused. She would join picket lines as people will suffer by having operations postponed. She has supported the Jun Drs in the House of Commons.
JM said he would wear the badge and was committed to supporting picket lines. (not clear if he would come on 26th) He said
the LP has only had new leadership for 8 months. They had almost no support from the old Shadow cabinet and few from the Parliamentary LP. So things are moving. They need to change and bring people with them.
5 Overview.
5.1 As a group we were very bullish pursuing a range of stuff from the NHS reinstatement Bill to the Patient Transport stuff in the Guardian, to the NHS Bill, to STP, to the Drs strike.
5.2 A fascinating group of people. Spoke to many of them. It is interesting that once an area of the NHS like SMS is privatized it would be hard to return it to to an NHS system. Once structures are demolished it would be hard to resurrect them. Staff would have been lost, buildings and land and other resources asset stripped. Breaking up England in to 44 regions under STP will be awful if the regulations under which they operate are neo liberal as they are now. But given an opportunity such regulations could be reversed fairly quickly and the regions could then operate within an NHS system like Strategic Health Authorities.
5.3 JM was very impressive. Always calm, receptive balanced approach and at ease.
5.4 Hard to be positive about Heidi Alexander. She may not be a Blairite but she battled with us on all issues. Not impressive to me. She can talk for England and resisted every attempt we made to shift her on the NHS Bill or to support for Jun Drs. Some of her arguments were so thin e.g. basing her policies on a conversation with one nurse (a sample of one!!!).
6 Outcomes. JM said he wanted to use us as a Think Tank and promised us further meetings. That’s an advance given that HA has talks with McKinsey, PWC, she relies on Simon Stevens (the originator of STP) attends meetings of big private health providers and has only met us once before. JM seemed happy to be on the Jun Drs picket line. She refused as some people’s operations would be postponed. HA sees problems with the NHS Bill. A pity as this would be the real advance.
7 Possible next steps for us. National working group to work on getting next meeting
Local members in B&H LP to seek to work internally for Momentum policies and those in Hove to make sustained challenges to Peter Kyle’s views.
Report of National Group meeting April 2016
So far on the STP campaign – quite a lot of good news
The people who volunteered to work on STP at the organising group – Athene, Tony, John D and Madeleine (plus Mazz) met up two weeks ago, decided items below and divided out between us.
Trades Council last week agreed to support and do what they can to help.
District Labour party passed motion to oppose STP on Saturday. Thanks to Claire Wadey LRC.
Green party general meeting passed a motion opposing STP unanimously but with 30 people was inquorate. Matthew who administers the GP newsletter has agreed to send round our letter re STP to all members. Thanks Tony. We are taking the motion to the meeting with Caroline tomorrow to see how it can be got out nationally.
Thanks to Katrina the GP version of the letter has gone to every GP in the city. K is getting a list together of all the heads of trusts for a letter to go to them. Also going to the LMC.
Press releases – Katrina has put out two. Siobhan at the Argus has been away so nothing has gone in. Ken and Mad did an interview for Latest TV who turned up at the HWB meeting.
Every councillor and TU branch in the city with a model motion. Phil Clarke at the Trades Council is putting the letter and motion round to all their contact list. Also going to the hospital staffside and other NHS unions locally.
Motion going to UNISON national health conference next week.
HWB About 20 / 25 people turned up for the demo and to go into the meeting. We put our 3 questions to the HWB. Despite being forced to wait right until the end of a nearly 4 hour meeting think we made our mark. The CCG Chief officer exposed their hand which was very useful. Both the HWB and the CCG gave a very good impression of not knowing any more than we do about what is going on. Certainly the way they were talking would bear this out.
National networks
Information has gone out to campaigns round the country. Linda and Mad going to meetings of Health Campaigns Together and NHS momentum on Saturday in London. Two of main national campaigning groups.
So far on the STP campaign – quite a lot of good news
The people who volunteered to work on STP at the organising group – Athene, Tony, John D and Madeleine (plus Mazz) met up two weeks ago, decided items below and divided out between us.
Trades Council last week agreed to support and do what they can to help.
District Labour party passed motion to oppose STP on Saturday. Thanks to Claire Wadey LRC.
Green party general meeting passed a motion opposing STP unanimously but with 30 people was inquorate. Matthew who administers the GP newsletter has agreed to send round our letter re STP to all members. Thanks Tony. We are taking the motion to the meeting with Caroline tomorrow to see how it can be got out nationally.
Thanks to Katrina the GP version of the letter has gone to every GP in the city. K is getting a list together of all the heads of trusts for a letter to go to them. Also going to the LMC.
Press releases – Katrina has put out two. Siobhan at the Argus has been away so nothing has gone in. Ken and Mad did an interview for Latest TV who turned up at the HWB meeting.
Every councillor and TU branch in the city with a model motion. Phil Clarke at the Trades Council is putting the letter and motion round to all their contact list. Also going to the hospital staffside and other NHS unions locally.
Motion going to UNISON national health conference next week.
HWB About 20 / 25 people turned up for the demo and to go into the meeting. We put our 3 questions to the HWB. Despite being forced to wait right until the end of a nearly 4 hour meeting think we made our mark. The CCG Chief officer exposed their hand which was very useful. Both the HWB and the CCG gave a very good impression of not knowing any more than we do about what is going on. Certainly the way they were talking would bear this out.
National networks
Information has gone out to campaigns round the country. Linda and Mad going to meetings of Health Campaigns Together and NHS momentum on Saturday in London. Two of main national campaigning groups.
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A very clear tabular breakdown of who’s who in national campaigning
attached and can be downloaded from the file to the right. |
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Report on national campaigning Madeleine April 6 2016
A lot of preparation and 100’s of emails have gone into the John McDonnell meeting. KONP have been taking the lead but agenda and contributions now being pulled together by Steve 999NHS. Meeting – 13th April.
NHS bill
Almost certain Caroline Lucas not proposing next time.
Meetings on Wirral and in Liverpool
When Madeleine up north had two meetings with different campaigners from the Wirral and Liverpool. Very productive and solid allies in the struggle. Most of them are going to the McDonnell meeting as well.
STPs – Sustainability and Transformation plans
The big and horrifying development has been the sudden springing of STPs on us all. Details already circulated. But basically England divided into 44 “footprints” each of which will be dealing with the NHS and social care services in their area. This is the end-game for the NHS basically.
It has taken a lot of discussion and campaigns round the country are taking the threat seriously. Various people are looking into the possibility of taking legal action (which will involve a lot of crowd funding) and there are other ideas around.
Carol Ackroyd from KONP has written a motion to go out widely to councils, TUs,
Getting lots of parliamentary questions out
Find out what happening locally
A lot of preparation and 100’s of emails have gone into the John McDonnell meeting. KONP have been taking the lead but agenda and contributions now being pulled together by Steve 999NHS. Meeting – 13th April.
NHS bill
Almost certain Caroline Lucas not proposing next time.
Meetings on Wirral and in Liverpool
When Madeleine up north had two meetings with different campaigners from the Wirral and Liverpool. Very productive and solid allies in the struggle. Most of them are going to the McDonnell meeting as well.
STPs – Sustainability and Transformation plans
The big and horrifying development has been the sudden springing of STPs on us all. Details already circulated. But basically England divided into 44 “footprints” each of which will be dealing with the NHS and social care services in their area. This is the end-game for the NHS basically.
It has taken a lot of discussion and campaigns round the country are taking the threat seriously. Various people are looking into the possibility of taking legal action (which will involve a lot of crowd funding) and there are other ideas around.
Carol Ackroyd from KONP has written a motion to go out widely to councils, TUs,
Getting lots of parliamentary questions out
Find out what happening locally
Campaign for the NHS Reinstatement Bill Meeting
13th March 2016,
Phone Call
Chair: Allyson Pollock
Attendees: Alex Agombar (Admin for the campaign)
Youssef El-Gingihy
Deborah Harrington (999 Call for the NHS)
Tony O’Sullivan (KONP/Save Lewisham Hospital)
Adrian Renton
Peter Roderick
Keith Venables (KONP)
In summary we want Labour to take on the NHS Bill, and we want it to remain cross party.
Caroline Lucas has stated she would be more than happy for a Labour MP to sponsor it on next time.
Corbyn and McDonnell don’t have enough clout to push for the NHS Bill – so we need to focus on saying Heidi should go, and put pressure through local party.
John McDonnell’s office have been in contact as they are planning an NHS campaigners meeting (info subsequent to the meeting it will be April 13th 1.30pm-3pm, you must let them know if you will be attending). This will be a key meeting for the campaign, in discussing how Labour can get behind the Bill.
We also want to write to the Labour MPs who did support the Bill, to thank them and mention the possibility of the retabling the Bill in the next session.
Alex A needs to collate and circulate the list of what the MPs have said about the Bill.
Keith also has info sent to him via KONP activists, which he will send on to Alex.
Alex A will also try and create a list of which MPs were in the House on Friday.
Alex A to ensure we have written to the relevant MPs
The group discussed putting pressure on Labour from the grassroots. Keith is a member of NHS momentum. Others are members of their local Labour parties.
Keith volunteered to draft a motion for people to use with their local Labour parties asking for backing of the NHS Bill. Peter will assist.
Peter in addition will draft a second Motion that people can use calling for Heidi Alexander to be replaced.
Youssef is talking at a Momentum event training people on the NHS, taking place on April 9th.
Alex A to email the people who have signed the petition, to thank them, to say what we plan to do next, and as a PS to suggest what they can do if they are angry about the filibustering. (There are two public petitions on filibustering: 38D https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/stop-filibustering-in-the-house-of-commons and parliamentary petitions site: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/111441
Allyson will contact Steve Carne and Yanis to see if anyone has any ideas.
13th March 2016,
Phone Call
Chair: Allyson Pollock
Attendees: Alex Agombar (Admin for the campaign)
Youssef El-Gingihy
Deborah Harrington (999 Call for the NHS)
Tony O’Sullivan (KONP/Save Lewisham Hospital)
Adrian Renton
Peter Roderick
Keith Venables (KONP)
- Clarifying what happened on Friday
- Political Strategy - General
In summary we want Labour to take on the NHS Bill, and we want it to remain cross party.
Caroline Lucas has stated she would be more than happy for a Labour MP to sponsor it on next time.
- Labour
Corbyn and McDonnell don’t have enough clout to push for the NHS Bill – so we need to focus on saying Heidi should go, and put pressure through local party.
John McDonnell’s office have been in contact as they are planning an NHS campaigners meeting (info subsequent to the meeting it will be April 13th 1.30pm-3pm, you must let them know if you will be attending). This will be a key meeting for the campaign, in discussing how Labour can get behind the Bill.
We also want to write to the Labour MPs who did support the Bill, to thank them and mention the possibility of the retabling the Bill in the next session.
Alex A needs to collate and circulate the list of what the MPs have said about the Bill.
Keith also has info sent to him via KONP activists, which he will send on to Alex.
Alex A will also try and create a list of which MPs were in the House on Friday.
Alex A to ensure we have written to the relevant MPs
The group discussed putting pressure on Labour from the grassroots. Keith is a member of NHS momentum. Others are members of their local Labour parties.
Keith volunteered to draft a motion for people to use with their local Labour parties asking for backing of the NHS Bill. Peter will assist.
Peter in addition will draft a second Motion that people can use calling for Heidi Alexander to be replaced.
Youssef is talking at a Momentum event training people on the NHS, taking place on April 9th.
- SNP
- Green
- LibDem and Plaid Cymru
- Public Action
Alex A to email the people who have signed the petition, to thank them, to say what we plan to do next, and as a PS to suggest what they can do if they are angry about the filibustering. (There are two public petitions on filibustering: 38D https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/stop-filibustering-in-the-house-of-commons and parliamentary petitions site: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/111441
- Junior Doctors
Allyson will contact Steve Carne and Yanis to see if anyone has any ideas.
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Attached to the right as a pdf the NAN (National NHS activists’ network which we helped to set up) report, finalised today, bringing together most of the individual campaign submissions to the Heidi Alexander meeting. It can be downloaded from the file on the right.
Caroline Lucas wanted something to present to the Dept of Health on the day of the second reading of the NHS bill on the 11th. She has agreed to present this report (effectively launching it) and for the local input - the results of Carl’s privatisation survey. Great news. Personally (I may be biased) I think the report is an amazing and unique document with so much heart, which hopefully no-one will be able to read without feeling outraged and stirred into action. A major collaborative achievement from campaigns right across the country. There are lots of ideas for how to get it out as widely as possible not least to MPs, councillors and trade unions. |
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Meeting with Shadow Health Secretary
Meeting of 18 Grassroots NHS campaigning groups (twenty people ) with Heidi Alexander Shadow Health Secretary in the Grimond Room Parliament 7.15pm-9pm on Thursday 14th January
Herewith a copy of the e mail from Madeleine and the National Network asking for specific actions for the meeting.
For those who haven’t yet caught up with the news – the national NHS activist network has been given a meeting (Thursday 14th January 7-15 – 9 pm) with Shadow health secretary - Heidi Alexander. We have quite a lot of time but given there could be up to 45 activists in the room we will need it. The content and participation will need to be quite carefully coordinated to ensure everyone who wants it has a say. And definitely trying to avoid any open divisions there might be. There are up to 3 allocated places per campaign for the meeting.
Obviously I would like to go as I have put a lot of work (along with others in the network) into getting the meeting. I asked John D who has had the most involvement with the national network after me, and is as we all know – a passionate NHS worker and trade unionist (healthworkers might be thin on the ground so even more crucial). He’s agreed.
We don’t have to send 3 people of course if no-one else fancies going. If several people are interested then we need to decide who goes. I would say that another health-worker should be given priority. Can anyone interested let me know?
The “sort of organising group” for the network are discussing how we decide the priorities and content of the meeting. I’m suggesting each campaign submits their 6/7 priority issues and we take the most mentioned as the key issues. Building LP’s commitment to and participation in the NHS bill campaign will obviously be an important focus.
To try and organise contributions in some way in the meeting there is a suggestion that each campaign contribute something on an issue in which they have particular expertise (eg - devolution, junior doctors, hospital closures, tackling CCGs, PFI, cuts to GP services). The Severn junior doctor group is one of the signatories to the letter.
It’s important the Defend contribution to the meeting is mandated by our group. Could everyone make suggestions for priority issues and we’ll take and use any time we are allocated to raise the ones which are most mentioned? What would be our main area to raise and talk about?
It would be great for each issue raised if we could think about what course of action we might want to suggest the LP take so she can go away with an action programme. We might produce a document for her to take away. For eg on devolution we might want to ask them to put pressure on the national Local Government Association in various ways.
What they then do with our action suggestions is of course a whole other ball-game. We will all have our own opinions on the likely success. But they are setting up a consultation on health (apparently) so it would hopefully fit into that.
It seems we have quite a lot of time but with Christmas in the middle it will fly. And there are 20 campaigns’ responses and involvements to negotiate and organise. Joy!!!
Meeting of 18 Grassroots NHS campaigning groups (twenty people ) with Heidi Alexander Shadow Health Secretary in the Grimond Room Parliament 7.15pm-9pm on Thursday 14th January
Herewith a copy of the e mail from Madeleine and the National Network asking for specific actions for the meeting.
For those who haven’t yet caught up with the news – the national NHS activist network has been given a meeting (Thursday 14th January 7-15 – 9 pm) with Shadow health secretary - Heidi Alexander. We have quite a lot of time but given there could be up to 45 activists in the room we will need it. The content and participation will need to be quite carefully coordinated to ensure everyone who wants it has a say. And definitely trying to avoid any open divisions there might be. There are up to 3 allocated places per campaign for the meeting.
Obviously I would like to go as I have put a lot of work (along with others in the network) into getting the meeting. I asked John D who has had the most involvement with the national network after me, and is as we all know – a passionate NHS worker and trade unionist (healthworkers might be thin on the ground so even more crucial). He’s agreed.
We don’t have to send 3 people of course if no-one else fancies going. If several people are interested then we need to decide who goes. I would say that another health-worker should be given priority. Can anyone interested let me know?
The “sort of organising group” for the network are discussing how we decide the priorities and content of the meeting. I’m suggesting each campaign submits their 6/7 priority issues and we take the most mentioned as the key issues. Building LP’s commitment to and participation in the NHS bill campaign will obviously be an important focus.
To try and organise contributions in some way in the meeting there is a suggestion that each campaign contribute something on an issue in which they have particular expertise (eg - devolution, junior doctors, hospital closures, tackling CCGs, PFI, cuts to GP services). The Severn junior doctor group is one of the signatories to the letter.
It’s important the Defend contribution to the meeting is mandated by our group. Could everyone make suggestions for priority issues and we’ll take and use any time we are allocated to raise the ones which are most mentioned? What would be our main area to raise and talk about?
It would be great for each issue raised if we could think about what course of action we might want to suggest the LP take so she can go away with an action programme. We might produce a document for her to take away. For eg on devolution we might want to ask them to put pressure on the national Local Government Association in various ways.
What they then do with our action suggestions is of course a whole other ball-game. We will all have our own opinions on the likely success. But they are setting up a consultation on health (apparently) so it would hopefully fit into that.
It seems we have quite a lot of time but with Christmas in the middle it will fly. And there are 20 campaigns’ responses and involvements to negotiate and organise. Joy!!!
National network for circulation
Battle going on for the “soul” of national NHS campaigning broadly divided between New Labourites (not only Progress) and those like us who oppose any form of privatisation. There is a proliferation of national groups which is very confusing. Eg NHS Survival (mainly apparently involving doctors). The fact their main push is for a Royal commission on the NHS does not suggest a lot of urgency.
65 campaigns and individuals on contact list, including Caroline Molloy (of Our NHS) and Lucy Reynolds.
If people would find it useful could produce more of an outline.
Organised action with 7 of us from different campaigns as part of Tory party conference “wall of sound” demo – pathology suits, drums etc
3 proposed actions which are to be circulated on network and for members to take up:-
Battle going on for the “soul” of national NHS campaigning broadly divided between New Labourites (not only Progress) and those like us who oppose any form of privatisation. There is a proliferation of national groups which is very confusing. Eg NHS Survival (mainly apparently involving doctors). The fact their main push is for a Royal commission on the NHS does not suggest a lot of urgency.
65 campaigns and individuals on contact list, including Caroline Molloy (of Our NHS) and Lucy Reynolds.
If people would find it useful could produce more of an outline.
Organised action with 7 of us from different campaigns as part of Tory party conference “wall of sound” demo – pathology suits, drums etc
3 proposed actions which are to be circulated on network and for members to take up:-
- Monthly hospital vigil
- Corbyn letter asking for meeting
- Pre-emptive anti – NHS charging campaign. (from Bristol Protect our NHS)
