Press and Media
Contact us:
defendthenhs@gmail.com
defendthenhs@gmail.com
THE GOVERNMENT'S APPROACH TO THE NHS .....
… break it up, sell it cheap and waste millions doing it …
Press Release
Secret plans for NHS services across Sussex reveal massive cuts
Sussex Defend the
NHS
Workers Campaigners Communities Together
For immediate release
Friday 26th August
Open Letter
A national network of campaigners have issued an Open Letter to all media, following today’s breaking national news of secret government plans accelerating the preparation process to replace our NHS with a private insurance-based health system. The Open Letter is signed here by Sussex Defend the NHS.
Secret plans for NHS services across Sussex reveal massive cuts to come*
A secret process to cut and further privatise the NHS is charging ahead across England. It goes under the name of Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STPs).
STPs are being drawn up in conditions of secrecy imposed by NHS England – as their North Midlands Director of Commissioning Operations, Wendy Saviour, told a recent meeting of Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group:
“STPs are not meant to be published at all. They should not go to Board meetings. Some of them contain very radical things… These are highly political and highly contentious. Once they’re washed off and the national messages are gathered together, they will be published.”
We the undersigned think this is a disgraceful and destructive attack on public property and services and call for protests at our local authorities’ Health & Wellbeing Boards meetings, Clinical Commissioning Group meetings and at NHS England offices.
There is NO legal basis for this huge, top-down NHS re-disorganisation
Brighton & Hove and other local authority Health and Wellbeing Boards across Sussex are notionally responsible for seeing that STP governance and decision making processes “maintain democratic legitimacy”.
How is this possible, when there is no statutory basis for “footprint” STPs - which are being drawn up by organisations operating without any formal governance process, beyond a Memorandum of Understanding which is of uncertain legal status?
Councillors need to explain to the public how they can square their duty to represent and fully inform us, with their collusion in NHS England’s imposition of secrecy and dubious legality.
STPs are highly political and highly contentious because they will commit us to huge cuts and NHS privatisation by a process of parcelling up the NHS into a new form of public/private partnership called Accountable Care Organisations - think PFI, but for services as well as buildings.
All this is being carried out without ANY legislation to approve the transfer of NHS assets and services to these new forms of PFI.
The outcome will be an NHS that offers reduced services, ends national terms and conditions for staff and is modelled on private American health insurance schemes.
A big stick and a tiny carrot to finish off the NHS as a comprehensive, universal public service
Under the new Sustainability and Transformation Plan, England has been divided into 44 ‘footprints’ which must make huge spending and service cuts and increase NHS privatisation in order to access “transformation” funds. Brighton & Hove is in Footprint No. 44, East Surrey and Sussex.
The STP is a very large stick and a very small carrot, to impose cuts and privatisation on our already struggling health service.
The so-called STP “financial reset” - snuck out by NHS England just after Parliament went on holiday, so with no parliamentary scrutiny - imposes new draconian funding cuts on hospital trusts. There has been no public statement of what these cuts will mean, in terms of staff and services.
The STP “financial reset” has also driven newly cash-strapped Clinical Commissioning Groups to plan to withdraw various NHS treatments and to cherry pick patients for so-called Procedures of Limited Clinical Value (PLCV).
According to the Royal College of Surgeons, PLCV means any elective procedures the CCGs don’t want to fund - even though they are recommended by NICE and have clear therapeutic value.
The introduction via the STP of new “community care” models and contracts for GPs opens the door to privatisation of community and primary care - as is already happening elsewhere with companies like Virgin Care gobbling up community health & social care contracts and private companies taking over GP contracts. GPs' representative bodies, the Local Medical Committees, have complained about their exclusion from any consultation over the STPs in their areas.
The effect on our NHS and social care services will be severe. We vehemently oppose this dogmatic policy which will put lives at risk. If you want to let NHS England know what you think about their imposition of secret STPs, here is where you can find contact details for your regional office https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/regional-area-teams/
Sussex Defend the NHS
STP protests are already afoot in Footprint 44. To find out more, contact : defendthenhs@gmail.com
http://defendthenhssussex.weebly.com
https://twitter.com/SussexDefendNHS
https://www.facebook.com/SussexDefendTheNHS
Note for Editors:
Sussex Defend the NHS first sent press notices about the Sustainability and Transformation Plans back in April and May. Copies are attached again.
Katrina Miller
katrina.miller90@icloud.com
Mob 0775 238 0093
Press Release ‘Planned failure’ at Royal Sussex claim campaigners
Wednesday 17th August
Today’s damning CQC report into standards at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, placing the hospital in Special Measures is hardly surprising, say campaigners from Sussex Defend the NHS in Brighton.
The campaign points to years of underfunding, under staffing, low staff morale, cases of racial and sexuality discrimination and serious disconnect between senior staff and front-line clinicians and nurses.
A senior clinician at the Royal Sussex said that staff are working so hard despite government mishandling of reforms which have massively contributed to the crisis, underfunding as well as constant short-term changes at the top of the Trust. The list should include the effects of the government’s refusal to properly and safely modernise the junior doctors’ contract and the lack of effort by hospital management to support them.
Katrina Miller for Sussex Defend the NHS said, ‘Here we are again with a senior manager, Gillian Fairfield, offering heartfelt apologies and little else. Just like with Patient Transport Services, another of these overpaid super managers who should properly acknowledge their own responsibility and the government‘s failure and resign. It’s on her watch we’ve seen a culture of blame, harrassment and bullying develop with understaffing, underpaid and overstretched doctors, nurses and support staff. These are significant failures of management against too high a number of indicators and she should go.
You could think this is planned failure on the part of this government. What’s left of the national health service will be so bad, we’ll all rush off and buy private health insurance. And you can’t help but notice that in the massive and overdue development of the hospital which is being paid for by our taxes, a whole tower of new wards is only going to be available for private patients - Foundation Trusts are going to have to get nearly half of their funding from the private health sector as the government go on reducing their spend.
It’s happening quite stealthily: ‘Special measures‘ means that an ‘Improvement Director’ will be appointed to oversee the required changes to practices in the Trust. Monitor will also appoint one or more appropriate partner organisations to assist with the required planning and actions for improvements.*
We have noticed that even where such appointments appear to be from within the NHS, it turns out that many of these individuals have clear histories and connections with private management corporations, private financial organisations or giant health corporations. You can see which way the winds blowing.’
The campaigners say the crisis comes along with those in GP services, Patient Transport and we are about to see Children’s Services going the same way.
If you’ve had enough of all this and want to join the campaign, Sussex Defend the NHS stall will be at the Brunswick Festival this weekend in Brunswick Square, Brighton.
A petition against selling off Children’s Services is here: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/petition-to-stop-the-sell-off-and-decimation-of-children-s-health-services-in-brighton-1
The University of Brighton’s Citizen’s Health Services Survey is online at https://brighton.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/brighton-citizens-health-services-survey-no-2
Notes for Editor:
* http://www.cqc.org.uk/sites/default/files/20150211_a_guide_to_special_measures_updated_Feb_2015.pdf
Katrina Miller
katrina.miller90@icloud.com
Press Release on Investigation into Patient Transport Debacle in Sussex.
Tuesday 9th August
Campaigners say CCG Chief Exec should go:
shifting blame didn't wash with independent reviewers of patient transport chaos
Sussex Defend the NHS are angry at responses to the independent report on Sussex Patient Transport Service that was published on Monday. The local NHS campaigning group are calling for the resignation of Wendy Carberry, Chief Executive of Lewes and Havens CCG who is responsible for the contract being awarded to Coperforma and which led to a complete break down in the service earlier in the year. The chaos and dire consequences for patients caught the attention of the national press as well as local media.
Sussex Defend point out that at the time, the previous service provider was blamed by both Coperformer and Wendy Carberry for not cooperating fully with data provision at the change-over in April. This is not the case according to the assessment report which says,
We have examined the initial reasons stated by Coperforma as being the two principal causes of the poor performance, (high volume of calls and errors in the live data transferred), and we suggest both should have been capable of being addressed in a number of days, rather than weeks.
Blaming the previous provider is wholly inadequate and now proven wrong. It was weeks before Coperforma managed to improve the service to anywhere near acceptable levels. Even in June, Sussex Defend the NHS publicised the case of a patient who sadly died having missed an appointment with a consultant due to the transport not turning up. Wendy Carberry promised a report on this incident would be sent to the family by July. The group will be asking for its publication.
What the campaigners say now is, ‘This independent assessment of the PTS chaos makes strong criticism of the CCG’s decision to contract with an ill-prepared, un-tried and poorly monitored private provider. Once again, the person ultimately responsible, Wendy Carberry, is pointing the finger anywhere other than herself and the CCGs responsible, this time at half a dozen sacked call-centre workers. And while this is being investigated, she can only apologise and say little else. On her salary that’s not good enough. With power comes responsibility and she needs to accept that and resign before her CCG signs off any more dangerous contracts under the delusion that they are saving money and improving efficiency which they so clearly aren’t. The recommendations in this report look like basic common sense. These people are not fit for the jobs they have and should go.’
For further information contact Katrina Miller SDNHS mob 0775 238 0093
Tuesday 9th August
Campaigners say CCG Chief Exec should go:
shifting blame didn't wash with independent reviewers of patient transport chaos
Sussex Defend the NHS are angry at responses to the independent report on Sussex Patient Transport Service that was published on Monday. The local NHS campaigning group are calling for the resignation of Wendy Carberry, Chief Executive of Lewes and Havens CCG who is responsible for the contract being awarded to Coperforma and which led to a complete break down in the service earlier in the year. The chaos and dire consequences for patients caught the attention of the national press as well as local media.
Sussex Defend point out that at the time, the previous service provider was blamed by both Coperformer and Wendy Carberry for not cooperating fully with data provision at the change-over in April. This is not the case according to the assessment report which says,
We have examined the initial reasons stated by Coperforma as being the two principal causes of the poor performance, (high volume of calls and errors in the live data transferred), and we suggest both should have been capable of being addressed in a number of days, rather than weeks.
Blaming the previous provider is wholly inadequate and now proven wrong. It was weeks before Coperforma managed to improve the service to anywhere near acceptable levels. Even in June, Sussex Defend the NHS publicised the case of a patient who sadly died having missed an appointment with a consultant due to the transport not turning up. Wendy Carberry promised a report on this incident would be sent to the family by July. The group will be asking for its publication.
What the campaigners say now is, ‘This independent assessment of the PTS chaos makes strong criticism of the CCG’s decision to contract with an ill-prepared, un-tried and poorly monitored private provider. Once again, the person ultimately responsible, Wendy Carberry, is pointing the finger anywhere other than herself and the CCGs responsible, this time at half a dozen sacked call-centre workers. And while this is being investigated, she can only apologise and say little else. On her salary that’s not good enough. With power comes responsibility and she needs to accept that and resign before her CCG signs off any more dangerous contracts under the delusion that they are saving money and improving efficiency which they so clearly aren’t. The recommendations in this report look like basic common sense. These people are not fit for the jobs they have and should go.’
For further information contact Katrina Miller SDNHS mob 0775 238 0093
Friday 8th July Council committee set to clash with local NHS campaigners
‘ No place for tax- avoiding business in our NHS’
Sussex Defend the NHS will be lobbying the city council’s Health & Wellbeing Board this coming Tuesday, 12th July. The public health cuts, agreed in March, will see the Health Visiting and School Nursing budget slashed by £1m with devastating effect on clients, young families, children at risk and the highly experienced and well qualified staff working with them.
A local healthworker and UNTE member said, ‘ I am very concerned about this huge cut to the budget for Children's Services in Brighton and Hove; we know that investing in the early years is vital. It can only be storing up health problems for the future which is so short-sighted. And children will surely be put at risk.’
The Health & Wellbeing Board have also agreed to put the contract for these Children’s Health Services out to tender. It is believed one of the companies showing interest in the Brighton & Hove contract is Virgin Care, part of Richard Branson’s empire.
Earlier this year Bristol campaigners were successful in halting the sale of their NHS-run Children’s Services to Virgin Care because the company pay no tax in the UK despite the company having been awarded NHS contracts worth over £1 billion over the past 6 years. Campaigners discovered the fact that Virgin Care, have ‘made no profit’ in the UK*. Research has unearthed the use of tax havens by Virgin Care and other private companies working with the NHS. The investigation found 13 holding companies, some of them offshore, between Virgin Care and its ultimate parent company, based in the British Virgin Islands, a tax haven**.This adverse publicity resulted in Virgin withdrawing from the Bristol tendering process.
Katrina Miller from the local campaigning group Sussex Defend the NHS added, ‘ All the disaster evidence is stacking up against big profiteering companies buying up and wrecking our NHS. Do we really want a tax-avoiding, profit-mongering company to run our Children’s Services? We know their profit comes from lowering service standards and decimating staff. There are no moral grounds for doing that to vulnerable children and families and the dedicated staff who have been working so hard with them.’
Sussex Defend the NHS’ lobby will be joined by UNITE members campaigning to protect these vital services. All are welcome to come and join them from 3.30pm outside the Brighthelm Centre in North Road Brighton on Tuesday, 12th July. And if you want to have a say about how Brighton & Hove health services are run, then go online to the University of Brighton survey at https://brighton.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/brighton-citizens-health-services-survey-no-2
All press coverage gratefully received and we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible outside the Brighthelm for photo and interview opportunities!
For further information contact Katrina Miller SDNHS mob 0775 238 0093
Editor’s note:
* Virgin Care has become a major player in the market for NHS services since it entered the healthcare market in 2010. Over the past five years the company has been awarded contracts worth over £1 billion, with several large contracts in community health. Virgin Care continues to be highly active in tendering for NHS contracts, despite the company showing no signs of a profit: since 2010 the company has recorded an annual loss of £9 to £10 million. As Virgin Care Ltd makes no profit in the UK, according to its accounts, the company pays no tax in the UK. However, Virgin Care Ltd is a small entity in Richard Branson’s Virgin empire. Virgin Care’s ultimate parent is Virgin Group Holdings registered in the tax haven of the British Virgin Islands. The ultimate owners of Virgin Care are trusts registered in the British Virgin Islands where no tax is paid whose beneficiaries are Richard Branson and his family. Questions have been raised over where exactly any of Virgin Care's profits would go and if tax would be paid on profits in the UK.
** Tax Avoidance Since 2010 when Virgin Care was formed the company has not reported a profit but a loss of around £9 to £10 million each financial year. No profit means no tax is paid in the UK. However, Virgin Care’s position within the complex structure of Richard Branson’s empire has raised some questions about tax liabilities. In March 2015, an investigation by Richard Murphy,a chartered accountant at Tax Research UK, highlighted the use of tax havens by Virgin Care and other private companies working with the NHS. The investigation found 13 holding companies, some of them offshore, between Virgin Care and its ultimate parent company, based in the British Virgin Islands, a tax haven.
Murphy’s research also found that Virgin Care borrows money solely from a Virgin holding company and reports that it will repay that loan, which will be corporation tax-deductible, when a profit starts to be recorded. That holding company is based in the UK but it, in turn, owes money to other parts of the Virgin business, whose ultimate parent company is in the British Virgin Islands. This type of corporate set-up has potential for reducing or eliminating the tax liabilities of operating companies; a company in the UK could always report a loss due to loan repayments to sister companies thereby never having to pay tax. Virgin Care refute suggestions that the company will not pay tax at some point in the future.
Source: http://www.nhsforsale.info/private-providers/private-provider-profiles-2/virgin.html
‘ No place for tax- avoiding business in our NHS’
Sussex Defend the NHS will be lobbying the city council’s Health & Wellbeing Board this coming Tuesday, 12th July. The public health cuts, agreed in March, will see the Health Visiting and School Nursing budget slashed by £1m with devastating effect on clients, young families, children at risk and the highly experienced and well qualified staff working with them.
A local healthworker and UNTE member said, ‘ I am very concerned about this huge cut to the budget for Children's Services in Brighton and Hove; we know that investing in the early years is vital. It can only be storing up health problems for the future which is so short-sighted. And children will surely be put at risk.’
The Health & Wellbeing Board have also agreed to put the contract for these Children’s Health Services out to tender. It is believed one of the companies showing interest in the Brighton & Hove contract is Virgin Care, part of Richard Branson’s empire.
Earlier this year Bristol campaigners were successful in halting the sale of their NHS-run Children’s Services to Virgin Care because the company pay no tax in the UK despite the company having been awarded NHS contracts worth over £1 billion over the past 6 years. Campaigners discovered the fact that Virgin Care, have ‘made no profit’ in the UK*. Research has unearthed the use of tax havens by Virgin Care and other private companies working with the NHS. The investigation found 13 holding companies, some of them offshore, between Virgin Care and its ultimate parent company, based in the British Virgin Islands, a tax haven**.This adverse publicity resulted in Virgin withdrawing from the Bristol tendering process.
Katrina Miller from the local campaigning group Sussex Defend the NHS added, ‘ All the disaster evidence is stacking up against big profiteering companies buying up and wrecking our NHS. Do we really want a tax-avoiding, profit-mongering company to run our Children’s Services? We know their profit comes from lowering service standards and decimating staff. There are no moral grounds for doing that to vulnerable children and families and the dedicated staff who have been working so hard with them.’
Sussex Defend the NHS’ lobby will be joined by UNITE members campaigning to protect these vital services. All are welcome to come and join them from 3.30pm outside the Brighthelm Centre in North Road Brighton on Tuesday, 12th July. And if you want to have a say about how Brighton & Hove health services are run, then go online to the University of Brighton survey at https://brighton.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/brighton-citizens-health-services-survey-no-2
All press coverage gratefully received and we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible outside the Brighthelm for photo and interview opportunities!
For further information contact Katrina Miller SDNHS mob 0775 238 0093
Editor’s note:
* Virgin Care has become a major player in the market for NHS services since it entered the healthcare market in 2010. Over the past five years the company has been awarded contracts worth over £1 billion, with several large contracts in community health. Virgin Care continues to be highly active in tendering for NHS contracts, despite the company showing no signs of a profit: since 2010 the company has recorded an annual loss of £9 to £10 million. As Virgin Care Ltd makes no profit in the UK, according to its accounts, the company pays no tax in the UK. However, Virgin Care Ltd is a small entity in Richard Branson’s Virgin empire. Virgin Care’s ultimate parent is Virgin Group Holdings registered in the tax haven of the British Virgin Islands. The ultimate owners of Virgin Care are trusts registered in the British Virgin Islands where no tax is paid whose beneficiaries are Richard Branson and his family. Questions have been raised over where exactly any of Virgin Care's profits would go and if tax would be paid on profits in the UK.
** Tax Avoidance Since 2010 when Virgin Care was formed the company has not reported a profit but a loss of around £9 to £10 million each financial year. No profit means no tax is paid in the UK. However, Virgin Care’s position within the complex structure of Richard Branson’s empire has raised some questions about tax liabilities. In March 2015, an investigation by Richard Murphy,a chartered accountant at Tax Research UK, highlighted the use of tax havens by Virgin Care and other private companies working with the NHS. The investigation found 13 holding companies, some of them offshore, between Virgin Care and its ultimate parent company, based in the British Virgin Islands, a tax haven.
Murphy’s research also found that Virgin Care borrows money solely from a Virgin holding company and reports that it will repay that loan, which will be corporation tax-deductible, when a profit starts to be recorded. That holding company is based in the UK but it, in turn, owes money to other parts of the Virgin business, whose ultimate parent company is in the British Virgin Islands. This type of corporate set-up has potential for reducing or eliminating the tax liabilities of operating companies; a company in the UK could always report a loss due to loan repayments to sister companies thereby never having to pay tax. Virgin Care refute suggestions that the company will not pay tax at some point in the future.
Source: http://www.nhsforsale.info/private-providers/private-provider-profiles-2/virgin.html
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Our NHS Going, Going ... inspiring rally attracts crowd in Kemptown
For immediate release Friday 1st July Our NHS Going, Going ... inspiring rally attracts crowd in Kemptown A capacity crowd filled St. Georges Church on Thursday evening this week at a rally organised by Sussex Defend the NHS. More than 200 people were inspired by a string of speakers recounting what has happened to the NHS across the city and Sussex as a result of the present government’s policies. Madeleine Dickens, introducing, argued that as the 5th richest country in the world, we can afford our NHS; we own it. And yet under this government what we have is underfunded A&E departments and hospitals, GP surgeries closing; waiting lists lengthening; treatments being rationed; NHS staff dealing with pay cuts, increased workloads, poorer terms and conditions; consultancy admin and legal costs escalating; PFI debts and budget deficits rocketing... and across every English region, the biggest attack on the NHS we have never heard of, the final nail in the NHS coffin – the Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP)*. An impressive and impassioned line-up of speakers gave witness to the attacks on the NHS locally as well as nationally: Charles Harrity, GMB Senior Organiser for B&H City Council spoke of the Patient Transport shambles; Zoe Adler, intensive care nurse at the Royal Sussex spoke for Doctors of the World operating in Brighton for migrants and refugees; Stephen McClean, mental health nurse; Mitch Alexander from the Save the Willows campaign in Bevendean; Danielle Tiplady, student nurse from the national Bursaries or Bust campaign that has accumulated over 100,000 petition signatures; Todd Leckie, BMA junior doctor representative from RSCH and Caroline Lucas, MP who will be proposing a cross-party NHS Reinstatement Bill with support from the Labour Party. The second half of the evening was devoted to what can be done to halt the destructive policies being implemented locally as well as joining national campaigns of which Sussex Defend are a significant part. The audience heard from Joanne Land, herself one of the ‘Darlo Mums’ who last year reprised the Jarrow March from Darlington to London to raise awareness and protest for the NHS and now working within the Labour Party for a public NHS; Dr. Carl Walker who has started the Brighton Citizen Health Surveys; Richard from the Solidarity Federation on campaigning together with other workers; Mike Campbell, organiser of Protect Our NHS Bristol and Vicky Penner from the highly successful Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign. Ideas for protest and action came thick and fast and the meeting ended with loud enthusiasm and planning across communities for the coming weeks and months. Local commissioners and regional health quangos can expect some creative and difficult challenges ahead. For further information contact Katrina Miller SDNHS mob 0775 238 0093 Madeleine Dickens mob 07875 892580 Note for Editors: * In Brighton & Hove this has meant: Optum (US United Health) now controls GP hospital referrals; the privatised Patient Transport Services is in chaos; The Practice (private GP chain) pulling out because there’s not enough profit, leaving 10,000 patients without a GP; dedicated mental health wards have closed. And today, Children's and Young People’s NHS services are being put out to tender, Health Visitors are being replaced by cheaper nursery nurses and services for teenage parents axed. Hovering to bid for the contact is Virgin Health - well known for their tax-avoiding practices. |
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Press Release About Patient Transport contract shambles ignites Sussex petition
It’s going to be 10,000 by Monday!
For immediate release
6th May 2016
Sussex Defend the NHS’s online petition, Stop this Shambolic Sussex Ambulance privatisation, is about to crack the 10,000 signatures barrier this weekend - and still those responsible stay silent.
The commissioners who signed up to the new contract have ‘launched a formal investigation’ which is to report by mid-June. Apparently this is what constitutes ‘taking this situation very seriously’. Well, Sussex Defend say, 10,000 people across West and East Sussex are also taking it very seriously and are calling for the service to be re-contracted with SECambs - and not just for a ‘managed service’ which involves a whole bunch of sub-contracted transport.
It’s now 6 weeks since this management company took over the service and still patients are waiting for hours to be picked up. A junior doctor told us last week how she had phoned from the hospital as she always does for patient transport, in this case for a mental health patient, only to be told, ‘We don’t take mental health patients now.’ Another doctor has said that some patients are arriving so late that they had to stay in overnight because they couldn’t get home. It’s not just patients suffering but doctors struggling to cope.
We’ve heard that tomorrow, Saturday 7th, Brighton & Hove CCG have a stall booked in New Road promoting public health*. Sussex Defend hope to be there too with leaflets about what’s really happening to health services across the city. It’s going to be packed because of the lovely Children's’ Parade.
So far our commissioners are refusing to come on the radio or tell the public what’s happening so it’s a good opportunity for press and media to ask them!
And further news about the petition coming next week.
For more information contact Katrina Miller mob 0775 238 0093
Carl Walker mob 07809 479 114
* We won’t be having our stall as we couldn’t afford the fee in Fringe City!
It’s going to be 10,000 by Monday!
For immediate release
6th May 2016
Sussex Defend the NHS’s online petition, Stop this Shambolic Sussex Ambulance privatisation, is about to crack the 10,000 signatures barrier this weekend - and still those responsible stay silent.
The commissioners who signed up to the new contract have ‘launched a formal investigation’ which is to report by mid-June. Apparently this is what constitutes ‘taking this situation very seriously’. Well, Sussex Defend say, 10,000 people across West and East Sussex are also taking it very seriously and are calling for the service to be re-contracted with SECambs - and not just for a ‘managed service’ which involves a whole bunch of sub-contracted transport.
It’s now 6 weeks since this management company took over the service and still patients are waiting for hours to be picked up. A junior doctor told us last week how she had phoned from the hospital as she always does for patient transport, in this case for a mental health patient, only to be told, ‘We don’t take mental health patients now.’ Another doctor has said that some patients are arriving so late that they had to stay in overnight because they couldn’t get home. It’s not just patients suffering but doctors struggling to cope.
We’ve heard that tomorrow, Saturday 7th, Brighton & Hove CCG have a stall booked in New Road promoting public health*. Sussex Defend hope to be there too with leaflets about what’s really happening to health services across the city. It’s going to be packed because of the lovely Children's’ Parade.
So far our commissioners are refusing to come on the radio or tell the public what’s happening so it’s a good opportunity for press and media to ask them!
And further news about the petition coming next week.
For more information contact Katrina Miller mob 0775 238 0093
Carl Walker mob 07809 479 114
* We won’t be having our stall as we couldn’t afford the fee in Fringe City!
Press Release Unions and public get behind the doctors
Plans for Tuesday’s NHS strike
For immediate release
23rd April 2016
Unions and public get behind the doctors
March plans for Tuesday’s NHS strike
This time it will be even bigger: the government is trying to bully our Junior Doctors by imposing a new contract which all evidence shows is unsafe and unfair. Other NHS workers and their patients are already paying the price for new contracts - reduced staffing, worse hours, service cuts - all imposed through outsourcing and privatisation. You’ve only got to look at what’s happened to our Patient Transport Service across Sussex and our Referral Management System which is delaying treatment and causing distress to hundreds of waiting patients.
Junior doctors will not give in to this bullying government and work in unsafe or dangerous conditions for patients and we must all support them in their fight. Junior doctors are withdrawing all labour for 18 hours from 8am - 5pm on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th April. They are fighting for our NHS; we all need to show our solidarity with them.
This week Unison is holding it’s Health Conference at the Brighton Centre. Delegates will be encouraged to march with junior doctors, other health workers, student medics, council workers, trade unionists, pensioners and campaigners 0800 from the Brighton Centre. The march will go up West St, into North St to the Old Steine then up Edward St and Eastern Road to the Royal Sussex County Hospital (arriving about 0900). There’ll be a samba band to join the noise. A rally will hear from speakers and it is hoped Dave Prentiss the General Secretary of Unison, one of the biggest trade unions in the country will join them.
The BMA banner will head up the march followed by Sussex Defend the NHS, Trade Union banners to the fore and as many placards and as much noise as we can make.
Please come down and support us - we need as much publicity as possible and for as many people as possible to know about what’s happening to our NHS. Usual contacts for interviews, photos and filming. See you down there!
P.S. We are expecting at least 200+ on the march this time. If the crowd proves too big, we’ll be relocating the rally and speakers to St. George’s Church garden rather than outside the hospital.
For further information and interviews please contact: Katrina Miller, SDNHS 0775 238 0093 Todd Leckie, BMA rep, Junior Doctor 07816 826059
Phil Clarke, B&H Trades Council 01273 380819
Andy Richards, B&H Trades Council 07810 486059
Katrina Miller
pp Sussex Defend the NHS
katrina.miller90@icloud.com
Mob 0775 238 0093
Plans for Tuesday’s NHS strike
For immediate release
23rd April 2016
Unions and public get behind the doctors
March plans for Tuesday’s NHS strike
This time it will be even bigger: the government is trying to bully our Junior Doctors by imposing a new contract which all evidence shows is unsafe and unfair. Other NHS workers and their patients are already paying the price for new contracts - reduced staffing, worse hours, service cuts - all imposed through outsourcing and privatisation. You’ve only got to look at what’s happened to our Patient Transport Service across Sussex and our Referral Management System which is delaying treatment and causing distress to hundreds of waiting patients.
Junior doctors will not give in to this bullying government and work in unsafe or dangerous conditions for patients and we must all support them in their fight. Junior doctors are withdrawing all labour for 18 hours from 8am - 5pm on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th April. They are fighting for our NHS; we all need to show our solidarity with them.
This week Unison is holding it’s Health Conference at the Brighton Centre. Delegates will be encouraged to march with junior doctors, other health workers, student medics, council workers, trade unionists, pensioners and campaigners 0800 from the Brighton Centre. The march will go up West St, into North St to the Old Steine then up Edward St and Eastern Road to the Royal Sussex County Hospital (arriving about 0900). There’ll be a samba band to join the noise. A rally will hear from speakers and it is hoped Dave Prentiss the General Secretary of Unison, one of the biggest trade unions in the country will join them.
The BMA banner will head up the march followed by Sussex Defend the NHS, Trade Union banners to the fore and as many placards and as much noise as we can make.
Please come down and support us - we need as much publicity as possible and for as many people as possible to know about what’s happening to our NHS. Usual contacts for interviews, photos and filming. See you down there!
P.S. We are expecting at least 200+ on the march this time. If the crowd proves too big, we’ll be relocating the rally and speakers to St. George’s Church garden rather than outside the hospital.
For further information and interviews please contact: Katrina Miller, SDNHS 0775 238 0093 Todd Leckie, BMA rep, Junior Doctor 07816 826059
Phil Clarke, B&H Trades Council 01273 380819
Andy Richards, B&H Trades Council 07810 486059
Katrina Miller
pp Sussex Defend the NHS
katrina.miller90@icloud.com
Mob 0775 238 0093
Press Release New Cartoon
New Cartoon for Sussex Defend the NHS to use on all their leaflets, posters and banners.
Local artist Nic Watts, drew the cartoon for free as a contribution to the campaigning efforts of the organisation which he firmly supports.
Local campaign group Sussex Defend the NHS have just received the final version of a fantastic cartoon to use on all their leaflets, posters and banners. Local artist Nic Watts, drew the cartoon for free as a contribution to the campaigning efforts of the organisation which he firmly supports.
Nic says, ‘ ... it is the job of illustration to help bring a text alive, to help a reader visually engage and importantly to help communicate the message of the text. I enjoy collaborating with writers, publishers and project coordinators to make this happen.’
Amongst his clients, Nic has drawn for government departments, Michael Rosen, the children's author, and many well-known publishers. Sussex Defend are thrilled to have Nic’s work making their Save the NHS message loud and clear.
Katrina Miller from Sussex Defend the NHS said,’ The vultures are brilliant. That’s exactly the image for the private health companies who are moving in to snatch contracts from our NHS and make profits like Coperforma with the Patient Transport Service and that company who’ve just closed GP surgeries when they couldn’t make a profit.’
Nic’s website is at http://www.nicwatts-illustrator.com
Sussex Defend are found at http://defendthenhssussex.weebly.com
https://twitter.com/SussexDefendNHS
https://www.facebook.com/SussexDefendTheNHS
For more information and interviews contact Katrina Miller mob 0775 238 0093
New Cartoon for Sussex Defend the NHS to use on all their leaflets, posters and banners.
Local artist Nic Watts, drew the cartoon for free as a contribution to the campaigning efforts of the organisation which he firmly supports.
Local campaign group Sussex Defend the NHS have just received the final version of a fantastic cartoon to use on all their leaflets, posters and banners. Local artist Nic Watts, drew the cartoon for free as a contribution to the campaigning efforts of the organisation which he firmly supports.
Nic says, ‘ ... it is the job of illustration to help bring a text alive, to help a reader visually engage and importantly to help communicate the message of the text. I enjoy collaborating with writers, publishers and project coordinators to make this happen.’
Amongst his clients, Nic has drawn for government departments, Michael Rosen, the children's author, and many well-known publishers. Sussex Defend are thrilled to have Nic’s work making their Save the NHS message loud and clear.
Katrina Miller from Sussex Defend the NHS said,’ The vultures are brilliant. That’s exactly the image for the private health companies who are moving in to snatch contracts from our NHS and make profits like Coperforma with the Patient Transport Service and that company who’ve just closed GP surgeries when they couldn’t make a profit.’
Nic’s website is at http://www.nicwatts-illustrator.com
Sussex Defend are found at http://defendthenhssussex.weebly.com
https://twitter.com/SussexDefendNHS
https://www.facebook.com/SussexDefendTheNHS
For more information and interviews contact Katrina Miller mob 0775 238 0093
Press Release Support call for local surgeries
For immediate release
22nd April 2016
Support call for local surgeries
Patients and campaigners are anxiously waiting to hear whether their surgeries will close or be reprieved at a meeting with NHS England this coming Monday. Patient representatives have been invited to the meeting to hear recommendations for the future of the 5 Brighton & Hove surgeries that are threatened with closure at the end of September.
The Save The Willows campaign from Bevendean have organised a march and demonstration in support of their surgeries remaining open. They will be meeting at 11.55am on Monday at the War Memorial in the Old Steine. From there they will march up North Street to the Clocktower and along Queen's Road to the Brighthelm Centre. They will gather there until the start of the meeting at 1pm. They will carry their big banner made by the community last weekend. Annie Ewens was one of those who made the banner:
‘I came on Saturday to show the community that this is a very important issue that we all need to support. If The Willows closes there will be many of us that will not be able to access a surgery further afield for many reasons ie. cost, too ill to use public transport, which will mean people either put off going to see a doctor, call out an emergency doctor or go straight to A&E, services that are already over stretched'
Jan Bower, another Bevendean resident added:
‘I went along to the Saturday morning event and signed the banner. I think it looks great and is an excellent way for the people of Bevendean to express themselves and show their frustration.’
Linda Game from Save The Willows said, ‘What we're really hoping for is that the recommendation offers the opportunity to maintain the status quo. The best possible outcome for continuing patient care is to keep what we have - a good functioning GP service on the door step within the heart of our community... It will also put a strain on other surgeries as more patients will be vying for limited appointment space. No one gains anything if our surgery is closed.’
Everyone is asked to come along and join the patients on the march on Monday. And please sign the petition for Save The Willows at https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-the-willows-gp-surgery-from-closure.
For more information contact Mitch Alexander, Save The Willows Campaign mob 07760 281 264
Katrina Miller, SDNHS mob 0775 238 0093
Photo of the Banner outside the Willows Surgery see below
For immediate release
22nd April 2016
Support call for local surgeries
Patients and campaigners are anxiously waiting to hear whether their surgeries will close or be reprieved at a meeting with NHS England this coming Monday. Patient representatives have been invited to the meeting to hear recommendations for the future of the 5 Brighton & Hove surgeries that are threatened with closure at the end of September.
The Save The Willows campaign from Bevendean have organised a march and demonstration in support of their surgeries remaining open. They will be meeting at 11.55am on Monday at the War Memorial in the Old Steine. From there they will march up North Street to the Clocktower and along Queen's Road to the Brighthelm Centre. They will gather there until the start of the meeting at 1pm. They will carry their big banner made by the community last weekend. Annie Ewens was one of those who made the banner:
‘I came on Saturday to show the community that this is a very important issue that we all need to support. If The Willows closes there will be many of us that will not be able to access a surgery further afield for many reasons ie. cost, too ill to use public transport, which will mean people either put off going to see a doctor, call out an emergency doctor or go straight to A&E, services that are already over stretched'
Jan Bower, another Bevendean resident added:
‘I went along to the Saturday morning event and signed the banner. I think it looks great and is an excellent way for the people of Bevendean to express themselves and show their frustration.’
Linda Game from Save The Willows said, ‘What we're really hoping for is that the recommendation offers the opportunity to maintain the status quo. The best possible outcome for continuing patient care is to keep what we have - a good functioning GP service on the door step within the heart of our community... It will also put a strain on other surgeries as more patients will be vying for limited appointment space. No one gains anything if our surgery is closed.’
Everyone is asked to come along and join the patients on the march on Monday. And please sign the petition for Save The Willows at https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-the-willows-gp-surgery-from-closure.
For more information contact Mitch Alexander, Save The Willows Campaign mob 07760 281 264
Katrina Miller, SDNHS mob 0775 238 0093
Photo of the Banner outside the Willows Surgery see below
Press Release Patient Transport Service: drivers and public respond to continuing chaos
For immediate release
22nd April 2016
Patient Transport Service: drivers and public respond to continuing chaos
Sussex Defend the NHS have learnt from the Brighton & Hove union branch how bad the continuing chaos in the Patient Transport Service is for those working under the new private company regime. The campaign group have a petition to sign at
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/p/patienttransport. Everyone is urged to sign it.
Conditions of work have been severely disrupted by the change in management to the private contractor Coperformer, leaving many drivers, communications operators and other workers very distressed. Press reports locally and nationally have been full of dreadful patient experiences making those in the front line very angry. So many patients have become stuck at the Royal Sussex County hospital in Brighton because their transport has not arrived that it has paid for taxis and other private vehicle suppliers to take them home. Staff there have had to stay until midnight to ensure kidney patients arriving hours after their scheduled start time have received their vital dialysis.
The GMB, the Patient Transport Service workers trade union, has been de-recognised by Coperformer, the private company now contracted to run the service. This shows how a private company drives down not only pay and conditions but practices around health & safety, and training in order to ensure maximum profit. Steve Guy from Sussex Defend the NHS and trade unionist said,
‘The fiasco that has resulted from the outsourcing of the PTS is a direct consequence of the Health and Social Care Act, which opened up the NHS to competition from private health care providers, organisations that are only concerned with how much money they can make. The de-recognition of the GMB, the PTS workers union, is Coperforma's way of removing all resistance to their efforts to boost profits by driving down the wages and conditions of the workers in the service. The CCGs made their decision irrespective of the consequences to those in need of the service. They need to be pressured into reversing this privatisation and take the service back in house before any more people suffer as a result of their irresponsibility.’
Patients, relatives, NHS bodies, Trade Unions and local MPs have severely criticised the service’s performance but still local CCGs persist with the untenable private company. Ambulance drivers themselves have said the company is ‘out of its depth’.
We should remember that the previous public provider regularly had approval ratings of over 90%.
Sussex Defend the NHS campaigners’ petition demands that Sussex Clinical Commissioning Groups who contracted with Coperformer immediately end this untenable contract and return it to public ownership and with the appropriate level of funding. You can sign the petition at https://you.38degrees.org.uk/p/patienttransport
For more information and interviews contact Katrina Miller mob 0775 238 0093
Steve Guy mob 07813 344023
For immediate release
22nd April 2016
Patient Transport Service: drivers and public respond to continuing chaos
Sussex Defend the NHS have learnt from the Brighton & Hove union branch how bad the continuing chaos in the Patient Transport Service is for those working under the new private company regime. The campaign group have a petition to sign at
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/p/patienttransport. Everyone is urged to sign it.
Conditions of work have been severely disrupted by the change in management to the private contractor Coperformer, leaving many drivers, communications operators and other workers very distressed. Press reports locally and nationally have been full of dreadful patient experiences making those in the front line very angry. So many patients have become stuck at the Royal Sussex County hospital in Brighton because their transport has not arrived that it has paid for taxis and other private vehicle suppliers to take them home. Staff there have had to stay until midnight to ensure kidney patients arriving hours after their scheduled start time have received their vital dialysis.
The GMB, the Patient Transport Service workers trade union, has been de-recognised by Coperformer, the private company now contracted to run the service. This shows how a private company drives down not only pay and conditions but practices around health & safety, and training in order to ensure maximum profit. Steve Guy from Sussex Defend the NHS and trade unionist said,
‘The fiasco that has resulted from the outsourcing of the PTS is a direct consequence of the Health and Social Care Act, which opened up the NHS to competition from private health care providers, organisations that are only concerned with how much money they can make. The de-recognition of the GMB, the PTS workers union, is Coperforma's way of removing all resistance to their efforts to boost profits by driving down the wages and conditions of the workers in the service. The CCGs made their decision irrespective of the consequences to those in need of the service. They need to be pressured into reversing this privatisation and take the service back in house before any more people suffer as a result of their irresponsibility.’
Patients, relatives, NHS bodies, Trade Unions and local MPs have severely criticised the service’s performance but still local CCGs persist with the untenable private company. Ambulance drivers themselves have said the company is ‘out of its depth’.
We should remember that the previous public provider regularly had approval ratings of over 90%.
Sussex Defend the NHS campaigners’ petition demands that Sussex Clinical Commissioning Groups who contracted with Coperformer immediately end this untenable contract and return it to public ownership and with the appropriate level of funding. You can sign the petition at https://you.38degrees.org.uk/p/patienttransport
For more information and interviews contact Katrina Miller mob 0775 238 0093
Steve Guy mob 07813 344023
Press Release on Opposition to NHS re-structure plans and STP
For release Monday
18th April 2016
Opposition to NHS re-structure plans
We have recently learned of the government’s plans for reorganising health and social care services. The whole of England has been divided into 44 regions known as Sustainability and Transformation Footprints. Each Footprint is to take over responsibility for provision through commissioning of health and social care services.
Brighton & Hove Clinical Commissioning Group, the Council, the NHS Trusts that provide our health services in the city and the Trust that runs the Royal Sussex County hospital in Brighton will all become part of Sussex and East Surrey Footprint.
These organisations will have responsibility for health and social care in their region so to all intents and purposes, remove the ‘national’ from our health service.
The purchasing of services, new contracts for heath and social care services will be funded through this new organisation. It is evident that the role of local elected councillors will be diminished and the voice of citizens across Brighton & Hove will become increasingly removed from the decision-making about our health and social care services, whatever the new authority may claim about patient and public involvement.
Councillor Phelim Mac Cafferty, Convenor of the Green Group of councillors in Brighton and Hove, sits on the Council’s Health & Wellbeing Board. When asked about the new Sustainability and Transformation Footprint he said:
“We have serious concerns about the pace with which this plan is being bulldozed through. Massive change is being proposed in how NHS services that we all rely on will be planned and commissioned. While different parts of the NHS working closer together is something that most people would celebrate, it has to be done with patients at the forefront. In fact, how we as patients are involved in decisions is a core principle of the NHS.
“However despite the massive changes, no real discussion has happened and the Health & Wellbeing Board has been completely side-lined. This so called devolution is nothing of the sort, it is simply another ill-advised top-down reorganisation of the NHS with yet unknown consequences.
“Together with the Health and Social Care Act 2013, these new STPs could signal the permanent break-up of the NHS. As budgets are increasingly devolved, we will be forced to pick up massive deficits which are the legacy of chronic underinvestment in our hospitals. These could have a devastating impact on healthcare in the city and be used to justify further unwanted privatisation”.
The recent survey of Brighton citizens about our health services showed very strong support in Brighton & Hove for a publicly funded, publicly run NHS. Many respondents to the survey questions, showed serious concern for those local services which have been sold to private companies not only in principle but also in practice - the referral management system in chaos and the patient transport disaster are just two cases in point.
Anyone concerned about these changes can attend the special meeting of the Council’s Health & Wellbeing Board on Tuesday 19th April, 3pm in Portslade Town Hall, Victoria Road, BN41 15D.
Sussex Defend the NHS are setting up a Public Meeting to hear about the new Footprints and discuss the consequences. Details will be on their website at www.defendthenhssussex.weebly.com very soon. Everyone is welcome.
For more information and interviews contact Madeleine Dickens mob 07875 892 580
Katrina Miller
katrina.miller90@icloud.com
Mob 0775 238 0093
For release Monday
18th April 2016
Opposition to NHS re-structure plans
We have recently learned of the government’s plans for reorganising health and social care services. The whole of England has been divided into 44 regions known as Sustainability and Transformation Footprints. Each Footprint is to take over responsibility for provision through commissioning of health and social care services.
Brighton & Hove Clinical Commissioning Group, the Council, the NHS Trusts that provide our health services in the city and the Trust that runs the Royal Sussex County hospital in Brighton will all become part of Sussex and East Surrey Footprint.
These organisations will have responsibility for health and social care in their region so to all intents and purposes, remove the ‘national’ from our health service.
The purchasing of services, new contracts for heath and social care services will be funded through this new organisation. It is evident that the role of local elected councillors will be diminished and the voice of citizens across Brighton & Hove will become increasingly removed from the decision-making about our health and social care services, whatever the new authority may claim about patient and public involvement.
Councillor Phelim Mac Cafferty, Convenor of the Green Group of councillors in Brighton and Hove, sits on the Council’s Health & Wellbeing Board. When asked about the new Sustainability and Transformation Footprint he said:
“We have serious concerns about the pace with which this plan is being bulldozed through. Massive change is being proposed in how NHS services that we all rely on will be planned and commissioned. While different parts of the NHS working closer together is something that most people would celebrate, it has to be done with patients at the forefront. In fact, how we as patients are involved in decisions is a core principle of the NHS.
“However despite the massive changes, no real discussion has happened and the Health & Wellbeing Board has been completely side-lined. This so called devolution is nothing of the sort, it is simply another ill-advised top-down reorganisation of the NHS with yet unknown consequences.
“Together with the Health and Social Care Act 2013, these new STPs could signal the permanent break-up of the NHS. As budgets are increasingly devolved, we will be forced to pick up massive deficits which are the legacy of chronic underinvestment in our hospitals. These could have a devastating impact on healthcare in the city and be used to justify further unwanted privatisation”.
The recent survey of Brighton citizens about our health services showed very strong support in Brighton & Hove for a publicly funded, publicly run NHS. Many respondents to the survey questions, showed serious concern for those local services which have been sold to private companies not only in principle but also in practice - the referral management system in chaos and the patient transport disaster are just two cases in point.
Anyone concerned about these changes can attend the special meeting of the Council’s Health & Wellbeing Board on Tuesday 19th April, 3pm in Portslade Town Hall, Victoria Road, BN41 15D.
Sussex Defend the NHS are setting up a Public Meeting to hear about the new Footprints and discuss the consequences. Details will be on their website at www.defendthenhssussex.weebly.com very soon. Everyone is welcome.
For more information and interviews contact Madeleine Dickens mob 07875 892 580
Katrina Miller
katrina.miller90@icloud.com
Mob 0775 238 0093
Press Release on STP and Health and Wellbeing Board
For immediate release
15th April 2016
Is this the end of our NHS? Is more health service chaos on its way?
Brighton & Hove CCG plans well advanced
Chaos in our Patient Transport System and chaos in the Brighton & Hove Patient Referral Management System, closure of 4 GP surgeries: it would appear this recent record of disaster in our health services is not likely to end soon. In fact, it may be about to get a whole lot worse.
The ‘national’ is about to be finally wiped from what remains of our NHS as NHS England, the bosses of our local commissioners (CCG) step up their breaking up of health services into 44 regions. In essence, these Sustainability and Transformation regions or ‘footprints’ will be responsible for the financing of all our local health and social care services. Their income from the government is to be dependent on achieving specific outcomes and on keeping finances in balance. And it’s the second of these ‘must do’s’ that means, in reality, massive cuts to reduce NHS spending; ‘a balanced budget’ means that any existing deficits will have to be absorbed. Brighton & Sussex Universities Hospital Trust, for instance, recently announced it’s debt total at a staggering £37 million. Will this be absorbed? How can this be done without selling NHS assets smaller hospitals and specialist units currently in the NHS, severe cuts to frontline services or the awarding of every new contract to the lowest bidder?
Our local footprint has Brighton & Hove with East Sussex, West Sussex and East Surrey. Sussex and East Surrey Footprint staff have been working on the Plan showing how the ‘must do’s’ will be achieved. The first Short Report is due for submission to NHS England today. But has anyone seen it? NHS England say planning should, ‘ engage patients, staff and communities from the start, developing priorities through the eyes of those who use and pay for the NHS’. There doesn’t appear to be much evidence of that yet.
Sussex Defend the NHS say what NHS England are doing is a massive, duplicitous and potentially disastrous break-up of the NHS. NHS England is accelerating both the privatisation of the NHS and the loss of its national character by extending the devolution agenda throughout the English health service with no democratic mandate whatsoever. As the University of Brighton’s recent Citizens’ Health Survey has shown, there is no support for the breaking up and selling off of the NHS in the city. And there will be increasing concern over the lack of democratic participation in governance in the new organisation or the next stage of planning.
Councillor Daniel Yates, chairs Brighton Council’s Health & Wellbeing Board who are involved in the development process. He said,
‘While it is positive to hear that local NHS organisations and local authorities are working collaboratively to deliver a better system it is absolutely crucial that the development of a sustainable Health and Social Care system does not lose the ability of local communities to oversee, scrutinise and input into any changes proposed. We have asked for a presentation at the next Health and Wellbeing Board on the progress so far and emerging plans. Health and Wellbeing boards exist to ensure that local priorities and needs are addressed while delivering a shared leadership of health and wellbeing for the city. There must be no democratic deficit in any new model of delivering services that we all have a stake in.’
Madeleine Dickens for Sussex Defend the NHS said,
‘This represents a root and branch top-down reorganisation of the NHS, without Parliamentary approval, neither public nor professional consultation nor basis in evidence. The requirement for this ‘aggregate financial balance’, the absorption of existing deficits can only lead to England-wide cuts in services and staff, budgetary chaos, and the collapse of services. It’s an ideologically-driven and dangerous experiment being foisted on all of us - the main aims of which are the irreversible fragmentation of the NHS and the unleashing of an uncontrolled and all-pervading market in private healthcare. This is the endgame for our national health service unless we take urgent action to stop this Frankenstein Plan in its tracks.’
It’s about to get a whole lot worse.
A special meeting of the Council’s Health & Wellbeing Board will take place next Tuesday, 19th April at 4pm at Ronuk Hall, Portslade. Sustainability and Transformation developments are to be discussed as is also the crisis in the Patient Transport Service. The meeting is open to the public as usual.
For more information and interviews contact Katrina Miller mob 0775 238 0093
Madeleine Dickens mob 07875 892 580
For immediate release
15th April 2016
Is this the end of our NHS? Is more health service chaos on its way?
Brighton & Hove CCG plans well advanced
Chaos in our Patient Transport System and chaos in the Brighton & Hove Patient Referral Management System, closure of 4 GP surgeries: it would appear this recent record of disaster in our health services is not likely to end soon. In fact, it may be about to get a whole lot worse.
The ‘national’ is about to be finally wiped from what remains of our NHS as NHS England, the bosses of our local commissioners (CCG) step up their breaking up of health services into 44 regions. In essence, these Sustainability and Transformation regions or ‘footprints’ will be responsible for the financing of all our local health and social care services. Their income from the government is to be dependent on achieving specific outcomes and on keeping finances in balance. And it’s the second of these ‘must do’s’ that means, in reality, massive cuts to reduce NHS spending; ‘a balanced budget’ means that any existing deficits will have to be absorbed. Brighton & Sussex Universities Hospital Trust, for instance, recently announced it’s debt total at a staggering £37 million. Will this be absorbed? How can this be done without selling NHS assets smaller hospitals and specialist units currently in the NHS, severe cuts to frontline services or the awarding of every new contract to the lowest bidder?
Our local footprint has Brighton & Hove with East Sussex, West Sussex and East Surrey. Sussex and East Surrey Footprint staff have been working on the Plan showing how the ‘must do’s’ will be achieved. The first Short Report is due for submission to NHS England today. But has anyone seen it? NHS England say planning should, ‘ engage patients, staff and communities from the start, developing priorities through the eyes of those who use and pay for the NHS’. There doesn’t appear to be much evidence of that yet.
Sussex Defend the NHS say what NHS England are doing is a massive, duplicitous and potentially disastrous break-up of the NHS. NHS England is accelerating both the privatisation of the NHS and the loss of its national character by extending the devolution agenda throughout the English health service with no democratic mandate whatsoever. As the University of Brighton’s recent Citizens’ Health Survey has shown, there is no support for the breaking up and selling off of the NHS in the city. And there will be increasing concern over the lack of democratic participation in governance in the new organisation or the next stage of planning.
Councillor Daniel Yates, chairs Brighton Council’s Health & Wellbeing Board who are involved in the development process. He said,
‘While it is positive to hear that local NHS organisations and local authorities are working collaboratively to deliver a better system it is absolutely crucial that the development of a sustainable Health and Social Care system does not lose the ability of local communities to oversee, scrutinise and input into any changes proposed. We have asked for a presentation at the next Health and Wellbeing Board on the progress so far and emerging plans. Health and Wellbeing boards exist to ensure that local priorities and needs are addressed while delivering a shared leadership of health and wellbeing for the city. There must be no democratic deficit in any new model of delivering services that we all have a stake in.’
Madeleine Dickens for Sussex Defend the NHS said,
‘This represents a root and branch top-down reorganisation of the NHS, without Parliamentary approval, neither public nor professional consultation nor basis in evidence. The requirement for this ‘aggregate financial balance’, the absorption of existing deficits can only lead to England-wide cuts in services and staff, budgetary chaos, and the collapse of services. It’s an ideologically-driven and dangerous experiment being foisted on all of us - the main aims of which are the irreversible fragmentation of the NHS and the unleashing of an uncontrolled and all-pervading market in private healthcare. This is the endgame for our national health service unless we take urgent action to stop this Frankenstein Plan in its tracks.’
It’s about to get a whole lot worse.
A special meeting of the Council’s Health & Wellbeing Board will take place next Tuesday, 19th April at 4pm at Ronuk Hall, Portslade. Sustainability and Transformation developments are to be discussed as is also the crisis in the Patient Transport Service. The meeting is open to the public as usual.
For more information and interviews contact Katrina Miller mob 0775 238 0093
Madeleine Dickens mob 07875 892 580
Press Release On Junior Doctors Strike Wed 6 March
For immediate release
1st April 2016
‘It’s this brutal government harming our patients, not us’
Junior doctors pushed to strike again from Wednesday
Unions march from Town Hall to hospital
Once again our Junior Doctors are on strike for 48 hours. They will walk out after the night shift from 8am Wed 6th April for 48hrs until 8am on Friday 8th. The BMA have said that since they have given employers much more than the required 7 days’ notice of this action, it is the responsibility of the employer to ensure a service is provided.
A demonstration of support for the junior doctors and the NHS will gather in St. Bartholomew’s Square at 0800 on Wednesday 6th and march up to the Royal Sussex to join the picket lines and rally. There will be banners, noise and speeches at RSCH and Brighton Trades Council will be making this year’s presentation of the Kent Miners’ Lamp to the junior doctors for their fantastic campaign in defence of our NHS.
Phil Clarke, General Secretary, Brighton and Hove Trades Council said:
'The local Trade Union movement stands shoulder to shoulder with junior doctors who are taking strike action. Without doubt the government will, if successful at defeating the doctors attack terms and conditions of other NHS workers. This is designed to make NHS services even more attractive to private companies who wish to profit from running them. The Doctors are right to strike. Please show your support.'
Other NHS workers and their patients are already paying the price for new contracts, reduced staffing, worse hours and service cuts imposed through outsourcing and privatisation - waiting lists are lengthening, GPs surgeries closing, the referral management system in Brighton & Hove is in chaos. Andy Richards, Chair of the Trades Council added, ‘We need to support the doctors as part of the fight to defend our NHS. This dispute cannot be seen in isolation from the attempts by the Tories to privatise and commercialise it’.
At the University of Brighton where hundreds of student nurses, midwives and other health professionals are trained every year, there is equal disquiet about Tory government health policy. Dr Chris Cocking, Senior Lecturer & UCU rep for the School of Health Sciences at the University of Brighton said,
‘In UCU we think it is important that fellow trade unionists show their support for the Junior Doctors. This is especially so within the School of Health Sciences at the University of Brighton, as we are responsible for the training of a range of health professionals (Nurses, Midwives, Paramedics, OTs, etc) who work closely with Junior Doctors. We are acutely aware of the passion and commitment that Junior Doctors have for their work, as well as the vital role that they play in patient care, and appreciate that they would not be taking this action if they felt they had any other choice. Therefore, the responsibility for any disruption caused by today’s action, lies squarely firmly with the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt & his refusal to enter into meaningful negotiation over this issue.’
The same government belief in breaking up and selling off public services is happening in education with the recent announcement on the forced academisation of our schools. It is likely that teaching unions will be organising protests to coincide with the junior doctors. Alison Baker is Communications Officer for West Sussex NUT:
‘Junior doctors and teachers both offer an invaluable public service, but our pay and conditions are under attack by the government, bad news for the NHS and our education service. At the Brighton NUT Conference last weekend, we pledged our support for junior doctors. As Christine Blower said: "We have common interests, we should indeed unite our fights." We will show solidarity with junior doctors and will take action with them if there is scope to do so.’
Sussex Defend the NHS as always support the junior doctors in their fight and will have a noisy presence on the march and rally. Please come along and join us for photos, filming and interviews.
For further information and interviews please contact: Katrina Miller, SDNHS 0775 238 0093
Todd Leckie, BMA rep, Junior Doctor 07816 826059
Phil Clarke, B&H Trades Council 01273 380819
Andy Richards, B&H Trades Council 07810 486059
Chris Cocking, UCU, 01273 644510
Alison Baker, NUT, 07793724925
Katrina Miller, Press Contact
pp Sussex defend the NHS
katrina.miller90@icloud.com
Mob 0775 238 0093
For immediate release
1st April 2016
‘It’s this brutal government harming our patients, not us’
Junior doctors pushed to strike again from Wednesday
Unions march from Town Hall to hospital
Once again our Junior Doctors are on strike for 48 hours. They will walk out after the night shift from 8am Wed 6th April for 48hrs until 8am on Friday 8th. The BMA have said that since they have given employers much more than the required 7 days’ notice of this action, it is the responsibility of the employer to ensure a service is provided.
A demonstration of support for the junior doctors and the NHS will gather in St. Bartholomew’s Square at 0800 on Wednesday 6th and march up to the Royal Sussex to join the picket lines and rally. There will be banners, noise and speeches at RSCH and Brighton Trades Council will be making this year’s presentation of the Kent Miners’ Lamp to the junior doctors for their fantastic campaign in defence of our NHS.
Phil Clarke, General Secretary, Brighton and Hove Trades Council said:
'The local Trade Union movement stands shoulder to shoulder with junior doctors who are taking strike action. Without doubt the government will, if successful at defeating the doctors attack terms and conditions of other NHS workers. This is designed to make NHS services even more attractive to private companies who wish to profit from running them. The Doctors are right to strike. Please show your support.'
Other NHS workers and their patients are already paying the price for new contracts, reduced staffing, worse hours and service cuts imposed through outsourcing and privatisation - waiting lists are lengthening, GPs surgeries closing, the referral management system in Brighton & Hove is in chaos. Andy Richards, Chair of the Trades Council added, ‘We need to support the doctors as part of the fight to defend our NHS. This dispute cannot be seen in isolation from the attempts by the Tories to privatise and commercialise it’.
At the University of Brighton where hundreds of student nurses, midwives and other health professionals are trained every year, there is equal disquiet about Tory government health policy. Dr Chris Cocking, Senior Lecturer & UCU rep for the School of Health Sciences at the University of Brighton said,
‘In UCU we think it is important that fellow trade unionists show their support for the Junior Doctors. This is especially so within the School of Health Sciences at the University of Brighton, as we are responsible for the training of a range of health professionals (Nurses, Midwives, Paramedics, OTs, etc) who work closely with Junior Doctors. We are acutely aware of the passion and commitment that Junior Doctors have for their work, as well as the vital role that they play in patient care, and appreciate that they would not be taking this action if they felt they had any other choice. Therefore, the responsibility for any disruption caused by today’s action, lies squarely firmly with the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt & his refusal to enter into meaningful negotiation over this issue.’
The same government belief in breaking up and selling off public services is happening in education with the recent announcement on the forced academisation of our schools. It is likely that teaching unions will be organising protests to coincide with the junior doctors. Alison Baker is Communications Officer for West Sussex NUT:
‘Junior doctors and teachers both offer an invaluable public service, but our pay and conditions are under attack by the government, bad news for the NHS and our education service. At the Brighton NUT Conference last weekend, we pledged our support for junior doctors. As Christine Blower said: "We have common interests, we should indeed unite our fights." We will show solidarity with junior doctors and will take action with them if there is scope to do so.’
Sussex Defend the NHS as always support the junior doctors in their fight and will have a noisy presence on the march and rally. Please come along and join us for photos, filming and interviews.
For further information and interviews please contact: Katrina Miller, SDNHS 0775 238 0093
Todd Leckie, BMA rep, Junior Doctor 07816 826059
Phil Clarke, B&H Trades Council 01273 380819
Andy Richards, B&H Trades Council 07810 486059
Chris Cocking, UCU, 01273 644510
Alison Baker, NUT, 07793724925
Katrina Miller, Press Contact
pp Sussex defend the NHS
katrina.miller90@icloud.com
Mob 0775 238 0093
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Press Release about Closure of Willows surgery Bevendean
2nd March 2016 Bevendean surgery petition takes off at speed Local campaigners angry at exclusion from NHS England meeting The recent news that The Willows Surgery in Lower Bevendean, along with 4 others in the City, is to close has been greeted with consternation by local people and councillors in the community. The 5 surgeries are under threat of closure due to the withdrawal by The Practice Group, a private primary care business, from their contract with NHS England. On Tuesday, NHS England met with Brighton & Hove CCG, Community Development Officers from the areas affected, the Council’s Health & Wellbeing Board and others to assess the impact of this contract termination on the 11,500 patients who will be affected, including the 2,000+ from Bevendean. No patients were at the meeting and although concerns were reported by the Community Development Officers, the Bevendean campaigners were furious that they were denied direct access to the commissioners. Linda Game and Mitch Alexander from Bevendean are now campaigning to save their surgery and have already managed to get more than 300 signatures on their petition to Save The Willows in a matter of hours. Linda said,’ I’ve never been involved in anything like this before but this is so serious. It’s about peoples’ health. It’s not like we’re asking for something; we’re trying to stop something being taken away. Because we’ve all paid for our NHS and why can’t this government run it properly?’ Mitch added, ‘ It’s services like this that make a community. People round here aren’t wealthy; they can’t just jump in a taxi to get to the doctor and the last thing you want to do when you’re poorly is several bus rides.’ The two new campaigners were at the Community Centre today (Wednesday) to talk with Daniel Yates, their ward councillor who happens also to chair the Health & Wellbeing Board. Daniel made it clear he is very supportive of their campaign. After talking to Linda and Mitch about expectations for The Willows and advising them on their campaign strategies, he said, ‘It’s absolutely vital that local people, patients and residents, have a local surgery. And local people are quite rightly now demanding a local surgery.’ A spokesperson for Sussex Defend the NHS said, ‘ It’s outrageous that patients are excluded from the discussions on their NHS services. Replacing real local people with Community Development Agency workers who to all intents and purposes are employed by the commissioners is entirely undemocratic. NHS England, CCG, whoever, stop pretending you’re listening to people, because you’re not. And this is neither what people want nor what we deserve’. Save The Willows petition can be found at https://you.38degrees.org.uk/p/thewillows There are paper copies to sign at the Community Centre and in the surgery. Sussex Defend the NHS can be contacted at defendthenhssussex.weebly.com For further information please contact Katrina Miller, SDNHS, on mob 0775 238 0093 |
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Press Release on "Die-in" in Brighton on 5 March 2016
For immediate release 5th April 2016 Mobile die-in event attracts crowds in Brighton Despite a chill wind today, campaigners from Sussex Defend the NHS this morning staged a ‘die-in’ around Brighton and gave out over 2000 leaflets telling shoppers about the crisis that is hitting our NHS. From the junior doctors striking to save the NHS and fight the imposition of an unsafe contract, local GP surgeries threatened with closure, the withdrawal of student nurse bursaries and concern over contracting local ambulance services to the private sector, the action was a timely one in the city. A group of about 40 gathered at the Clock Tower in Brighton and proceeded to Churchill Square where, dressed mainly in black, some ‘died’ to represent the dying national health services while ‘Dr Death’ and ‘Nurse Hero’ presented the facts about the running down, breaking up and selling off of our health services both nationally and locally. With their colourful placards the group then moved on to Ship Street and New Road before a spontaneous performance in Sydney Street and a finish in London Road. There was a lot of support evident from passers by. One said,’ It’s so important what they are doing. This is very serious and it’s something that affects us all.’ Another shopper said how much she admired what the group were doing. Students from the medical school and universities have started a group Sussex and Brighton Students for the NHS. They have produced a spectacular banner which attracted a lot of attention and was used as an impromptu stage area for those ‘dying’. The focus of the street performances was the NHS Bill which, sponsored by Caroline Lucas and Jeremy Corbyn, has its 2nd reading in the House of Commons this coming Friday. The Bill aims to halt the market operating within the NHS, reinstate the service as a publicly owned, managed, funded and provided public service. Sussex defend the NHS are planning a Big Send-Off for the Brighton Pavilion MP as she leaves for parliament on Friday morning and all are welcome to come along 07:40 - 08:15 on 11th. For more information contact Katrina Miler mob 0775 238 0093 |
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Press Release
For immediate release
4th March 2016
Destroy our NHS?
OVER MY DEAD BODY!
On Saturday 5th March Sussex Defend the NHS are putting on a bit of street theatre to draw everyone’s attention to the crisis in the NHS.
We have organised this event because junior doctors are striking, GP practices closing, Royal Sussex is in the red to millions of pounds, students nurses and midwives are losing their bursaries, our ambulance service is going into private hands: the NHS is being systematically broken apart and destroyed. We are being pushed towards a US insurance-based system, private companies profiting while patients are left waiting or without a GP, staff are exploited and standards of care deteriorate.
The Tories are wrecking our NHS. Don’t let them get away with it!
They’re starving our NHS to death for a corporate fire sale!
To do that we have to push the government to change the law. The NHS Bill next Friday is due to receive its 2nd Reading. The Bill proposes a restoration of our NHS as a publicly owned, publicly provided, publicly funded, democratically accountable national health service. This is what was intended, what we expect and what we all pay for throughout our working lives so that we get the healthcare we need when we need it and no more to pay.
Patients before profits!
End the market in the NHS! It’s costing billions and proving wholly inadequate!
At 11:00 outside Churchill Square in Brighton, there’ll be a symbolic ‘dying for the dying NHS’ with ‘Dr. Death’ and local ‘Nurse Hero’ arguing the case. There’ll be drums and noise, leaflets and placards. Then we move to 2 other sites in the City spreading the word about the NHS Bill and the campaign as we go.
We hope you’ll come along for pictures, film and interviews. the state of the NHS is of grave concern to us all and Brighton & Hove need to know!
For more information contact Katrina Miller on 0775 238 0093
Press Release 9 Feb 2016
NHS : Bursaries or Bust Junior Doctors contract Not Fair, Not Safe
For immediate release
9th January 2016
Bursaries or Bust Junior Doctors contract Not Fair, Not Safe
For the first time in 40 years, medical professionals from doctors to nurses, midwives and health specialists are in dispute with the government about the management of their working lives, their conditions of work, their training opportunities and their pay. They have, through their professional associations, been discussing these important issues with the government and NHS management since 2012.
No public sector worker wants to strike. But Jeremy Hunt and the government are refusing to acknowledge the evidence before them that what they are trying to impose on hospital and clinical staff is unsafe and downright dangerous.
What is more worrying is that we are not being given the full story and indeed much of our media is reporting the government story and not that of the professionals.
Sussex Defend the NHS invite everyone to come along to a Public Meeting on Thursday this week, February 11th to hear, ask questions and discuss the issues with doctors, nurses and health professionals, their unions and well-informed campaigners.
The meeting takes place upstairs at The Eagle, 125 Gloucester Road, Brighton in the North Laine just down from Sydney Street 7pm - 9pm. Please come along!
Part of a week of action:
Defend our NHS! Defend our Education!
You can ask questions and join the discussion. It’s OUR NHS and patients, doctors, health care staff need to work together to save it.
defendthenhs@gmail.com http://defendthenhssussex.weebly.com https://twitter.com/SussexDefendNHS https://www.facebook.com/SussexDefendTheNHS
WHY WE SUPPORT THE JUNIOR DOCTORS
They are the doctors who tend to you if you are admitted to hospital, 24/7. They already work at weekends. But the government has been trying to force them to accept a new contract, which takes away safeguards on their working hours and doesn’t reward them adequately for their weekend work. That’s unjust and it’s dangerous – for them and for patients. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGz7Zj0g9SY
WHY WE SUPPORT NHS STUDENTS
The government plans to scrap bursaries and make nurses, midwives, occupational therapists, physios and other health professionals pay for their entire training: a debt for each of them of £51,000.
That’s unjust – nurses spend 50% of their training time working for hospitals or clinics and starting salaries are only £22,800. It will cause another recruitment crisis and that’s dangerous – staffing levels are already way below recommended levels.
NHS Students (including student nurses), Medical students and Junior Doctors are the Future of the NHS.
Sign the petition to keep NHS bursaries: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/113491
For further information contact: Katrina Miller SDNHS mob 0775 238 0093
NHS : Bursaries or Bust Junior Doctors contract Not Fair, Not Safe
For immediate release
9th January 2016
Bursaries or Bust Junior Doctors contract Not Fair, Not Safe
For the first time in 40 years, medical professionals from doctors to nurses, midwives and health specialists are in dispute with the government about the management of their working lives, their conditions of work, their training opportunities and their pay. They have, through their professional associations, been discussing these important issues with the government and NHS management since 2012.
No public sector worker wants to strike. But Jeremy Hunt and the government are refusing to acknowledge the evidence before them that what they are trying to impose on hospital and clinical staff is unsafe and downright dangerous.
What is more worrying is that we are not being given the full story and indeed much of our media is reporting the government story and not that of the professionals.
Sussex Defend the NHS invite everyone to come along to a Public Meeting on Thursday this week, February 11th to hear, ask questions and discuss the issues with doctors, nurses and health professionals, their unions and well-informed campaigners.
The meeting takes place upstairs at The Eagle, 125 Gloucester Road, Brighton in the North Laine just down from Sydney Street 7pm - 9pm. Please come along!
Part of a week of action:
Defend our NHS! Defend our Education!
You can ask questions and join the discussion. It’s OUR NHS and patients, doctors, health care staff need to work together to save it.
defendthenhs@gmail.com http://defendthenhssussex.weebly.com https://twitter.com/SussexDefendNHS https://www.facebook.com/SussexDefendTheNHS
WHY WE SUPPORT THE JUNIOR DOCTORS
They are the doctors who tend to you if you are admitted to hospital, 24/7. They already work at weekends. But the government has been trying to force them to accept a new contract, which takes away safeguards on their working hours and doesn’t reward them adequately for their weekend work. That’s unjust and it’s dangerous – for them and for patients. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGz7Zj0g9SY
WHY WE SUPPORT NHS STUDENTS
The government plans to scrap bursaries and make nurses, midwives, occupational therapists, physios and other health professionals pay for their entire training: a debt for each of them of £51,000.
That’s unjust – nurses spend 50% of their training time working for hospitals or clinics and starting salaries are only £22,800. It will cause another recruitment crisis and that’s dangerous – staffing levels are already way below recommended levels.
NHS Students (including student nurses), Medical students and Junior Doctors are the Future of the NHS.
Sign the petition to keep NHS bursaries: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/113491
For further information contact: Katrina Miller SDNHS mob 0775 238 0093
Press Release 9 Feb 2016
Government fails our junior doctors yet again
Now it’s Walk-out Wednesday and not just for the hospital doctors
Sussex Defend the NHS
For immediate release
9th February 2016
Government fails our junior doctors yet again
Now it’s Walk-out Wednesday and not just for the hospital doctors
We have already seen, for the first time in forty years, our hospital doctors forced to take strike action as the government tries to impose an unsafe and unfair new contract on the junior doctors. Last Saturday saw yet another huge demonstration in London against the government’s proposed new contracts. This time it was supported by other health professionals as well as student nurses and midwives angry at George Osborne’s proposal to cut the NHS student bursary.
Once again, ACAS talks have now stalled, due to the Dept of Health and Jeremy Hunt’s intransigence on guaranteeing safe working hours in our hospitals. As a result next
Wednesday, 10th February our local hospital junior doctors join the national strike action providing only emergency care for 24hrs commencing at 08:00.
At the Royal Sussex County Hospital, juniors and health professionals will form a picket line from 07:15 -12:00 opposite the Eye Hospital. A BMA spokesperson said, ‘Peaceful and professional is the theme. This isn’t just about our new contract but a stand to defend the whole NHS which is being deliberately underfunded and destabilised. You are all welcome to join us from 8:00 and we welcome your support.’
As last time, later on Wednesday afternoon there will be a ‘Meet the Doctors’ event in town from 14:00. Subject to Council permission it will take place in New Road and involve general discussion, engaging the public and handing out leaflets explaining the dispute.
In Haywards Heath, there is hoped to be a picket again from 0800 - 1200 at the Princess Royal and Mill View Hospital in Hove will also have a picket presence at the same time.
Our local Brighton & Sussex Medical School student doctors will also be supporting their working colleagues as they, their conditions of service and indeed careers too, will be directly affected by government imposition of new contracts. At 2pm student medics will gather at Old Steine, the Royal Pavilion end of Eastern Rd, before walking together to the Royal Sussex County Hospital to show support for the Junior Doctor Contract Strike, Nurses Bursary Cuts Walk Out and for saving the NHS. Their spokesperson added,’ There is also a group getting together at the Audrey Emerton Building (AEB) opposite the hospital at 10am if you would like to join in then.There will be food, placards, banners and NHS song singing (all singing abilities welcome)! Jeremy Hunt is waiting for us to give up and we need to show him we will not quit on our patients, staff/colleagues and public NHS!’
Sussex Defend the NHS will be supporting all the actions and welcome all who want to come along. Katrina Miller, from the campaign group said, ‘We’re still here. And we’ll be here doing what we can as long as Jeremy Hunt and this government keep on trying to destroy our NHS. I really feel for these doctors and the students too. This strike action is not easy. It really is a last resort but how else can we all make the government listen. I hope loads of people will come and join in and talk to the doctors in New Rd. We’ve also organised a Public Meeting for Thursday so come along if you can. It’s Thursday 11 Feb. NHS Students and Junior Doctors: the impact of no bursary and unsafe contracts. 7-9pm The Eagle Pub, Brighton (just down from Sydney Street in the North Laine).
For further information contact: Katrina Miller SDNHS mob 0775 238 0093
Amaran Cumarasamy BSMS Student Doctor mob 07949583521
Sarah Kingdon, Junior Doctor Brighton mob 07792 947198
Maya Bowles, Student Nurse, University of Brighton mob 07791 444453
Government fails our junior doctors yet again
Now it’s Walk-out Wednesday and not just for the hospital doctors
Sussex Defend the NHS
For immediate release
9th February 2016
Government fails our junior doctors yet again
Now it’s Walk-out Wednesday and not just for the hospital doctors
We have already seen, for the first time in forty years, our hospital doctors forced to take strike action as the government tries to impose an unsafe and unfair new contract on the junior doctors. Last Saturday saw yet another huge demonstration in London against the government’s proposed new contracts. This time it was supported by other health professionals as well as student nurses and midwives angry at George Osborne’s proposal to cut the NHS student bursary.
Once again, ACAS talks have now stalled, due to the Dept of Health and Jeremy Hunt’s intransigence on guaranteeing safe working hours in our hospitals. As a result next
Wednesday, 10th February our local hospital junior doctors join the national strike action providing only emergency care for 24hrs commencing at 08:00.
At the Royal Sussex County Hospital, juniors and health professionals will form a picket line from 07:15 -12:00 opposite the Eye Hospital. A BMA spokesperson said, ‘Peaceful and professional is the theme. This isn’t just about our new contract but a stand to defend the whole NHS which is being deliberately underfunded and destabilised. You are all welcome to join us from 8:00 and we welcome your support.’
As last time, later on Wednesday afternoon there will be a ‘Meet the Doctors’ event in town from 14:00. Subject to Council permission it will take place in New Road and involve general discussion, engaging the public and handing out leaflets explaining the dispute.
In Haywards Heath, there is hoped to be a picket again from 0800 - 1200 at the Princess Royal and Mill View Hospital in Hove will also have a picket presence at the same time.
Our local Brighton & Sussex Medical School student doctors will also be supporting their working colleagues as they, their conditions of service and indeed careers too, will be directly affected by government imposition of new contracts. At 2pm student medics will gather at Old Steine, the Royal Pavilion end of Eastern Rd, before walking together to the Royal Sussex County Hospital to show support for the Junior Doctor Contract Strike, Nurses Bursary Cuts Walk Out and for saving the NHS. Their spokesperson added,’ There is also a group getting together at the Audrey Emerton Building (AEB) opposite the hospital at 10am if you would like to join in then.There will be food, placards, banners and NHS song singing (all singing abilities welcome)! Jeremy Hunt is waiting for us to give up and we need to show him we will not quit on our patients, staff/colleagues and public NHS!’
Sussex Defend the NHS will be supporting all the actions and welcome all who want to come along. Katrina Miller, from the campaign group said, ‘We’re still here. And we’ll be here doing what we can as long as Jeremy Hunt and this government keep on trying to destroy our NHS. I really feel for these doctors and the students too. This strike action is not easy. It really is a last resort but how else can we all make the government listen. I hope loads of people will come and join in and talk to the doctors in New Rd. We’ve also organised a Public Meeting for Thursday so come along if you can. It’s Thursday 11 Feb. NHS Students and Junior Doctors: the impact of no bursary and unsafe contracts. 7-9pm The Eagle Pub, Brighton (just down from Sydney Street in the North Laine).
For further information contact: Katrina Miller SDNHS mob 0775 238 0093
Amaran Cumarasamy BSMS Student Doctor mob 07949583521
Sarah Kingdon, Junior Doctor Brighton mob 07792 947198
Maya Bowles, Student Nurse, University of Brighton mob 07791 444453
Press Release 25 Jan 2016
Sussex Defend the NHS meets Shadow Health Secretary : stop and reverse NHS cuts and sell offs
For immediate release and distribution
25th January 2016
Sussex Defend the NHS meets Shadow Health Secretary : stop and reverse NHS cuts and sell offs
Brighton-based campaign group Sussex Defend the NHS is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to stop and reverse NHS cuts and sell offs that are decimating the City’s health services - another 5 GPs surgeries to close, Substance Misuse Service sold, half of new Royal Sussex County hospital beds allowed to be private.
Sussex Defend the NHS is one of more than 20 NHS campaigns that met with Shadow Health Secretary Heidi Alexander MP last week at a meeting called by the new National Activists Network, made up of the many local campaigns for the NHS from all over England and Wales. The purpose of the meeting was to:
On behalf of Sussex Defend the NHS group from Brighton, three campaigners attended the meeting, to outline their campaign exposing Brighton & Hove Council, the Director of Public Health and the city CCG’s failure to protect the Substance Misuse Service (SMS), specialist staff and, specifically, the detox beds that are now closing in Hove and Crawley. The three campaigners, all health professionals themselves, introduced the experience of SMS in Brighton & Hove as a case study demonstrating the ‘extinction’ of NHS-based Substance Misuse services with a full-on shift away from the NHS to the voluntary and social enterprise sector. The consequences for SMS staff in B&H reflect what is happening in the wider NHS community as services are hived off from the NHS at an ever-accelerating rate. They were asking the Shadow Health Secretary to explain where she and the Labour Party stand on key NHS campaign demands.
On her return Clare Jones said, ‘It's essential for us, as Sussex Defend the NHS, to be part of a National Network of activists campaigning for a publicly funded, publicly run and publicly accountable NHS. We see the effects of an increasingly privatised NHS locally but we have to be clear that the NHS as a whole is under attack and it is a national issue. Groups like ours need to be meeting with the Labour shadow health minister as we are in the fore front to save services and have local detail to feed into the national picture. The meeting was vital to clarify and impact Labour Party thinking on the NHS. And that will start with encouraging Labour Party support for the NHS Reinstatement Bill coming before parliament in March'
The key question from the campaign groups was whether the Shadow Home Secretary supports the NHS Reinstatement Bill, to renationalise the NHS. The NHS Reinstatement Bill, originally proposed by Brighton Pavilion Green MP Caroline Lucas, is due for its second reading in the House of Commons on Friday March 11th. The Bill proposes to reverse the horrendous changes to the NHS which the government is undertaking and to reinstate the NHS as a publicly funded health service. The Bill has so far been backed by Jeremy Corbyn, John McDonnell and over 60 Labour MPs. Ms. Alexander is to meet with Dr Allyson Pollock one of the initiators of the NHS Bill, something which SDNHS hope will strengthen Labour Party commitment to supporting the Bill.
John Donovan from Sussex Defend the NHS added, ‘Heidi Alexander said she wouldn’t want another reorganisation if the Bill became Law. She said NHS workers don’t want another reorganisation . This is news to me, and I am one. Who are these workers? Well, Ms. Alexander, we are 30 campaigning groups representing thousands of NHS workers from janitors to doctors all over England. What more did she want? We need a meeting with Mr Corbyn. We need to raise the fight. We need to let people know what’s going on and save the best No.1 health system in the world, free for all and publicly funded from our taxes.’
A nationalised NHS is supported by 88% of the population in England and Wales. Here in Brighton & Hove, a University of Brighton survey is being conducted to inform people in the City about what is being commissioned locally and asking whether these policies are supported. It can be accessed at:
https://brighton.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/brighton-citizens-health-survey-1
and all are invited to have your say.
For further information contact: Katrina Miller SDNHS mob 07752 380 093
Clare Jones mob 07816 366 287
John Donovan mob 07715 471027
Sussex Defend the NHS meets Shadow Health Secretary : stop and reverse NHS cuts and sell offs
For immediate release and distribution
25th January 2016
Sussex Defend the NHS meets Shadow Health Secretary : stop and reverse NHS cuts and sell offs
Brighton-based campaign group Sussex Defend the NHS is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to stop and reverse NHS cuts and sell offs that are decimating the City’s health services - another 5 GPs surgeries to close, Substance Misuse Service sold, half of new Royal Sussex County hospital beds allowed to be private.
Sussex Defend the NHS is one of more than 20 NHS campaigns that met with Shadow Health Secretary Heidi Alexander MP last week at a meeting called by the new National Activists Network, made up of the many local campaigns for the NHS from all over England and Wales. The purpose of the meeting was to:
- tell the Shadow Home Secretary how NHS privatisation and cuts to NHS funding and services have damaged hospitals, GP and community health services across the country;
- ask her whether and how key Labour NHS policies will support the campaigners in their drive to stop and reverse NHS cuts and privatisation.
On behalf of Sussex Defend the NHS group from Brighton, three campaigners attended the meeting, to outline their campaign exposing Brighton & Hove Council, the Director of Public Health and the city CCG’s failure to protect the Substance Misuse Service (SMS), specialist staff and, specifically, the detox beds that are now closing in Hove and Crawley. The three campaigners, all health professionals themselves, introduced the experience of SMS in Brighton & Hove as a case study demonstrating the ‘extinction’ of NHS-based Substance Misuse services with a full-on shift away from the NHS to the voluntary and social enterprise sector. The consequences for SMS staff in B&H reflect what is happening in the wider NHS community as services are hived off from the NHS at an ever-accelerating rate. They were asking the Shadow Health Secretary to explain where she and the Labour Party stand on key NHS campaign demands.
On her return Clare Jones said, ‘It's essential for us, as Sussex Defend the NHS, to be part of a National Network of activists campaigning for a publicly funded, publicly run and publicly accountable NHS. We see the effects of an increasingly privatised NHS locally but we have to be clear that the NHS as a whole is under attack and it is a national issue. Groups like ours need to be meeting with the Labour shadow health minister as we are in the fore front to save services and have local detail to feed into the national picture. The meeting was vital to clarify and impact Labour Party thinking on the NHS. And that will start with encouraging Labour Party support for the NHS Reinstatement Bill coming before parliament in March'
The key question from the campaign groups was whether the Shadow Home Secretary supports the NHS Reinstatement Bill, to renationalise the NHS. The NHS Reinstatement Bill, originally proposed by Brighton Pavilion Green MP Caroline Lucas, is due for its second reading in the House of Commons on Friday March 11th. The Bill proposes to reverse the horrendous changes to the NHS which the government is undertaking and to reinstate the NHS as a publicly funded health service. The Bill has so far been backed by Jeremy Corbyn, John McDonnell and over 60 Labour MPs. Ms. Alexander is to meet with Dr Allyson Pollock one of the initiators of the NHS Bill, something which SDNHS hope will strengthen Labour Party commitment to supporting the Bill.
John Donovan from Sussex Defend the NHS added, ‘Heidi Alexander said she wouldn’t want another reorganisation if the Bill became Law. She said NHS workers don’t want another reorganisation . This is news to me, and I am one. Who are these workers? Well, Ms. Alexander, we are 30 campaigning groups representing thousands of NHS workers from janitors to doctors all over England. What more did she want? We need a meeting with Mr Corbyn. We need to raise the fight. We need to let people know what’s going on and save the best No.1 health system in the world, free for all and publicly funded from our taxes.’
A nationalised NHS is supported by 88% of the population in England and Wales. Here in Brighton & Hove, a University of Brighton survey is being conducted to inform people in the City about what is being commissioned locally and asking whether these policies are supported. It can be accessed at:
https://brighton.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/brighton-citizens-health-survey-1
and all are invited to have your say.
For further information contact: Katrina Miller SDNHS mob 07752 380 093
Clare Jones mob 07816 366 287
John Donovan mob 07715 471027
Scandal of Scanlon
In January, The Argus published a eulogy to Dr. Tom Scanlon, Director of Public Health, Brighton & Hove who oversaw the sale of our award-winning Substance Misuse Service. Two of the health professionals concerned, spitting tacks about this, drafted the letter below which we sent as a Letter to the Editor for publication. Here it is:-
Sir,
In the recent article detailing the retirement of Brighton & Hove’s Director of Public Health, Dr. Tom Scanlon (07/01/16), there appeared a number of glowing tributes to Dr. Scanlon, praising his achievements during his tenure. We, Sussex Defend the NHS, note however that absent from the eulogies was his disastrous role last year in transferring Brighton & Hove’s Substance Misuse Service from the local mental health trust to Cranstoun’s, a third sector provider.
Not content with insulting the entire workforce by labelling them as “without ambition” at the Policy and Resources Committee meeting in September 2014, Dr. Scanlon (along with erstwhile council leader Jason Kitcat) insisted on removing the service from local control. The net result of this decision was that 14 highly experienced NHS substance misuse nurses who had spent many years building therapeutic relationships with a hugely vulnerable clientele have now left the service. Staff who transferred over are now compelled to carry uncapped, ever increasing caseloads. The award winning Substance Misuse Social Work Team are now reduced and relocated away from substance misuse services.
As if this wasn’t bad enough, Sussex Partnership NHS Trust announced last week that it is closing both of its in-patient substance misuse wards. The trust cited the loss of funding attached to the community service. This loss of funding means that it is no longer financially viable to keep in-patient facilities open.
We now face the absolutely ludicrous situation where a city that regularly tops the league table of drug related deaths per capita, no longer has in-patient facilities to offer treatment to those addicted to illicit drugs and alcohol. Alcohol abuse is estimated to cost Brighton & Hove one hundred and seventeen million pounds per year (Argus 22/02/13). Further money will now need to be spent commissioning out-of-area beds that will not only involve further expense but mean that patients are frequently treated many miles away from their homes, families and support networks. The council’s 2016 “Statement of Licensing Policy” states that ”alcohol related death rates are twice the national average in Brighton and Hove” and yet there will no longer be an in-patient detox unit within the City.
David Cameron repeatedly tells us that the Health & Social Care Act is about removing control from the bureaucrats and placing clinical decision making in the hands of clinicians. If those now making these decisions, including the Director of Public Health, CCG and councillors on the Health & Wellbeing Board, cannot undertake proper impact assessment on the whole health economy in these re-contracting situations, then they are not fit for function.
The Director of Public Health chairs Brighton & Hove’s Alcohol Programme Board; the remit for the Director of Public Health includes responsibility for alcohol and drug misuse services. Dr. Scanlon, as Director of Public Health, was warned time and time again about the risks in fragmenting and outsourcing local NHS services but hubristically chose to ignore not only the views of the specialist and experienced workers themselves but also a specific petition against the transfer signed by fifteen hundred residents of Brighton & Hove. The current crisis in our Substance Misuse Service and a further 25% cut on the horizon, the loss of a skilled workforce and the loss of in-patient beds should be regarded as Dr. Scanlon's true legacy.
Katrina Miller
pp Sussex Defend the NHS.
In January, The Argus published a eulogy to Dr. Tom Scanlon, Director of Public Health, Brighton & Hove who oversaw the sale of our award-winning Substance Misuse Service. Two of the health professionals concerned, spitting tacks about this, drafted the letter below which we sent as a Letter to the Editor for publication. Here it is:-
Sir,
In the recent article detailing the retirement of Brighton & Hove’s Director of Public Health, Dr. Tom Scanlon (07/01/16), there appeared a number of glowing tributes to Dr. Scanlon, praising his achievements during his tenure. We, Sussex Defend the NHS, note however that absent from the eulogies was his disastrous role last year in transferring Brighton & Hove’s Substance Misuse Service from the local mental health trust to Cranstoun’s, a third sector provider.
Not content with insulting the entire workforce by labelling them as “without ambition” at the Policy and Resources Committee meeting in September 2014, Dr. Scanlon (along with erstwhile council leader Jason Kitcat) insisted on removing the service from local control. The net result of this decision was that 14 highly experienced NHS substance misuse nurses who had spent many years building therapeutic relationships with a hugely vulnerable clientele have now left the service. Staff who transferred over are now compelled to carry uncapped, ever increasing caseloads. The award winning Substance Misuse Social Work Team are now reduced and relocated away from substance misuse services.
As if this wasn’t bad enough, Sussex Partnership NHS Trust announced last week that it is closing both of its in-patient substance misuse wards. The trust cited the loss of funding attached to the community service. This loss of funding means that it is no longer financially viable to keep in-patient facilities open.
We now face the absolutely ludicrous situation where a city that regularly tops the league table of drug related deaths per capita, no longer has in-patient facilities to offer treatment to those addicted to illicit drugs and alcohol. Alcohol abuse is estimated to cost Brighton & Hove one hundred and seventeen million pounds per year (Argus 22/02/13). Further money will now need to be spent commissioning out-of-area beds that will not only involve further expense but mean that patients are frequently treated many miles away from their homes, families and support networks. The council’s 2016 “Statement of Licensing Policy” states that ”alcohol related death rates are twice the national average in Brighton and Hove” and yet there will no longer be an in-patient detox unit within the City.
David Cameron repeatedly tells us that the Health & Social Care Act is about removing control from the bureaucrats and placing clinical decision making in the hands of clinicians. If those now making these decisions, including the Director of Public Health, CCG and councillors on the Health & Wellbeing Board, cannot undertake proper impact assessment on the whole health economy in these re-contracting situations, then they are not fit for function.
The Director of Public Health chairs Brighton & Hove’s Alcohol Programme Board; the remit for the Director of Public Health includes responsibility for alcohol and drug misuse services. Dr. Scanlon, as Director of Public Health, was warned time and time again about the risks in fragmenting and outsourcing local NHS services but hubristically chose to ignore not only the views of the specialist and experienced workers themselves but also a specific petition against the transfer signed by fifteen hundred residents of Brighton & Hove. The current crisis in our Substance Misuse Service and a further 25% cut on the horizon, the loss of a skilled workforce and the loss of in-patient beds should be regarded as Dr. Scanlon's true legacy.
Katrina Miller
pp Sussex Defend the NHS.
Press Release on Junior doctors return to strike action and now it’s our student nurses under attack
For immediate release
7th January 2016
Yet another NHS crisis!
Junior doctors return to strike action and now it’s our student nurses under attack
Last month saw a massive demonstration by junior doctors, healthworkers and the public expressing anger at the government’s attempt to impose an unsafe and unfair new contract on our doctors. Strike plans were put on hold when finally the government agreed to talks at ACAS. These have now ground to a halt as the BMA accused the government of ‘intransigence’ and of not committing to serious negotiation.
BMA chair Dr Mark Porter has said, ‘’After weeks of further negotiations, it is clear that the Government is still not taking junior doctors’ concerns seriously. Furthermore, the Government has repeatedly dragged its feet throughout this process. We sincerely regret the disruption that industrial action will cause, but junior doctors have been left with no option. It is because the Government’s proposals would be bad for patient care as well as junior doctors in the long-term that we are taking this stand.’
Next Tuesday, 12th January, will see our local hospital junior doctors join the national strike action providing only emergency care for 24hrs commencing at 08:00. Todd Leckie, local BMA representative at RSCH says that there will be a demonstration outside RSCH in Brighton from 07:00 until 12:00 followed by a rally and events planned in the city centre.
Junior doctors and campaigners from Brighton will also be travelling to join the march and rally in London this coming Saturday, 9th, in response to yet another government attack on NHS workers, this time on student nurses, midwives and health professionals. The government plans to remove the student bursary for training which means these trainee health professionals could end up in debt to the tune of £50,000. Maya Bowles, a student nurse at Brighton University said, ‘Osborne's bursary cuts are another example of this government's detachment from the needs of real working people. The cut will not open more places in Universities but cut the lifeline that nurses, midwives and other health care professionals depend on to live whilst working long hospital hours and studying on top. Why are those that care for the most vulnerable people in our society being penalised? A cynic might think this is just another coordinated attack on our NHS. But hey, I'm only a nurse.’
Our local campaign group Sussex Defend the NHS will be supporting both actions and welcome all who want to come along. Katrina Miller, from the campaign group said, ‘I honestly never thought I would see the day when doctors went on strike. If anyone thinks this is easy then they’re wrong. And now student nurses as well? This is all wrong. This government is intent on making everything in the NHS really bad and then their health corporation friends will just step in and we’ll all end up having to pay for health care through private insurance. It would be great to see real support across the city for our doctors, student nurses and midwives.’
For further information contact: Katrina Miller SDNHS mob 0775 238 0093
Todd Leckie, Junior Doctor BMA Brighton mob 07816 826059
Sarah Kingdon, Junior Doctor Brighton mob 07792 947198
Maya Bowles, Student Nurse, University of Brighton mob 07791 444453
For immediate release
7th January 2016
Yet another NHS crisis!
Junior doctors return to strike action and now it’s our student nurses under attack
Last month saw a massive demonstration by junior doctors, healthworkers and the public expressing anger at the government’s attempt to impose an unsafe and unfair new contract on our doctors. Strike plans were put on hold when finally the government agreed to talks at ACAS. These have now ground to a halt as the BMA accused the government of ‘intransigence’ and of not committing to serious negotiation.
BMA chair Dr Mark Porter has said, ‘’After weeks of further negotiations, it is clear that the Government is still not taking junior doctors’ concerns seriously. Furthermore, the Government has repeatedly dragged its feet throughout this process. We sincerely regret the disruption that industrial action will cause, but junior doctors have been left with no option. It is because the Government’s proposals would be bad for patient care as well as junior doctors in the long-term that we are taking this stand.’
Next Tuesday, 12th January, will see our local hospital junior doctors join the national strike action providing only emergency care for 24hrs commencing at 08:00. Todd Leckie, local BMA representative at RSCH says that there will be a demonstration outside RSCH in Brighton from 07:00 until 12:00 followed by a rally and events planned in the city centre.
Junior doctors and campaigners from Brighton will also be travelling to join the march and rally in London this coming Saturday, 9th, in response to yet another government attack on NHS workers, this time on student nurses, midwives and health professionals. The government plans to remove the student bursary for training which means these trainee health professionals could end up in debt to the tune of £50,000. Maya Bowles, a student nurse at Brighton University said, ‘Osborne's bursary cuts are another example of this government's detachment from the needs of real working people. The cut will not open more places in Universities but cut the lifeline that nurses, midwives and other health care professionals depend on to live whilst working long hospital hours and studying on top. Why are those that care for the most vulnerable people in our society being penalised? A cynic might think this is just another coordinated attack on our NHS. But hey, I'm only a nurse.’
Our local campaign group Sussex Defend the NHS will be supporting both actions and welcome all who want to come along. Katrina Miller, from the campaign group said, ‘I honestly never thought I would see the day when doctors went on strike. If anyone thinks this is easy then they’re wrong. And now student nurses as well? This is all wrong. This government is intent on making everything in the NHS really bad and then their health corporation friends will just step in and we’ll all end up having to pay for health care through private insurance. It would be great to see real support across the city for our doctors, student nurses and midwives.’
For further information contact: Katrina Miller SDNHS mob 0775 238 0093
Todd Leckie, Junior Doctor BMA Brighton mob 07816 826059
Sarah Kingdon, Junior Doctor Brighton mob 07792 947198
Maya Bowles, Student Nurse, University of Brighton mob 07791 444453
Sussex defend the NHS Alternative New Year Honours
1 Jan 2016 See the two pages below
1 Jan 2016 See the two pages below
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Contrasting views on the Junior Doctors dispute between Caroline Lucas MP on the one hand and Peter Kyle MPand Simon Kirby on the other
Below we publish the statements by Brighton and Hove three MPs about the Junior Doctor’s dispute that have been submitted to Sussex Defend the NHS. That is Caroline Lucas, Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion, Peter Kyle, Labour Party MP for Hove and
Simon Kirby, Conservative MP for Brighton Kemptown. These statements were presented to a meeting of over 150 people in St Mary's Church Kemptown Brighton on 12 Nov. 2015
It is clear from these that Lucas’s statement is fully in support of the Junior Doctors and specifically of the NHS . That is the same view as Sussex Defend the NHS, Medsin and members of the public who Defend has spoken with in the last two weeks. However what is surprising are the remarkable similarities between Kyle and Kirby statements. They do not support the Drs directly. We leave it up to the readers to conclude why this is so and to challenge these two MPs in writing or when they meet with them.
Below we publish the statements by Brighton and Hove three MPs about the Junior Doctor’s dispute that have been submitted to Sussex Defend the NHS. That is Caroline Lucas, Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion, Peter Kyle, Labour Party MP for Hove and
Simon Kirby, Conservative MP for Brighton Kemptown. These statements were presented to a meeting of over 150 people in St Mary's Church Kemptown Brighton on 12 Nov. 2015
It is clear from these that Lucas’s statement is fully in support of the Junior Doctors and specifically of the NHS . That is the same view as Sussex Defend the NHS, Medsin and members of the public who Defend has spoken with in the last two weeks. However what is surprising are the remarkable similarities between Kyle and Kirby statements. They do not support the Drs directly. We leave it up to the readers to conclude why this is so and to challenge these two MPs in writing or when they meet with them.
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Statement of Support from Caroline Lucas – Junior Doctors meeting
I am sorry that I cannot be at the meeting with you tonight but I wanted to send this message of solidarity. I am right behind you. I know from meeting more than 40 junior doctors at one of my recent surgeries that no junior doctor is considering strike action lightly. Junior Doctors fear that Jeremy Hunt’s planned changes to contracts will harm our NHS. They are right: the changes are an attack on staff and will make patients less safe. If the Secretary of State will not listen, then drastic action, including strike action, has to be considered for the sake of both patients and our junior doctors. The Government seems intent on blaming NHS staff for problems, instead of admitting their own responsibility to give our public services proper support and funding. This seems totally counterproductive, not to mention unfair. After my meeting with local doctors I tabled Early Day Motion 539, which has now attracted the support of over 100 Members of Parliament. The motion formally recognises that junior doctors are dedicated professionals who are the backbone of the NHS, providing the best quality care for their patients, and that junior doctors already work seven days a week. It calls for an end to the imposition of preconditions prior to negotiations and for the Health Secretary to bring an evidence-based approach to this issue - something that has eluded him, so far. If the junior doctors vote to strike when the votes are counted on 18 November, I will back them, because I know that they are dedicated and I know that they have patient safety at the very heart of their concerns. If they do not strike, the fight will continue and I will still do all I can to try and stop the policies of the Secretary of State and his ilk from undermining our NHS and its hard working, dedicated doctors and other staff. In solidarity and for the love of our NHS, |
Peter Kyle, MP for Hove and Portslade, said:
On a personal level, I really appreciate the vital role junior doctors play in our NHS and their tireless work in our hospitals, a view I know that is shared right across the Labour party. Labour's Shadow Health Secretary, Heidi Alexander, has called for Jeremy Hunt to withdraw his threat to impose the new contract on Junior Doctors and I fully support her position on this. It is simply wrong for Jeremy Hunt to be 'taking on' the profession in this way - he should instead listen to the legitimate concerns that have been raised across the Health sector. Indeed as we saw last month, former Tory Health Minister, Dr Daniel Poulter, has himself criticised Jeremy Hunt for causing the understandable anger felt by junior doctors by reneging on previous proposals put forward. Rest assured, I will continue to support all efforts to get the Government to re-engage in a dialogue with the BMA and put forward a deal that safeguards both staff and patient safety. |
Simon Kirby’s Statement on Junior Doctors dispute
I recognise that the issue of the junior doctors’ contract is something that local residents feel strongly about. I agree that junior doctors do an incredible job every day of the week looking after our friends and loved ones. We are currently in the middle of the ballot period, however, whatever the result, I would urge both sides to sit around the table to resolve this important issue and hope strike action will not be necessary. We all want to see the very best patient care in our NHS and it is important that a fair solution to this dispute is found as soon as possible. Simon Kirby MP |
We are in the argus.
Fantastic work all round and Katrina the quote you give says it exactly like it is http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/13876282.NHS_in_crisis_and_getting_worse___warn_staff_as_they_embark_on_demo/
Fantastic work all round and Katrina the quote you give says it exactly like it is http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/13876282.NHS_in_crisis_and_getting_worse___warn_staff_as_they_embark_on_demo/
Pressgang report 13th October 2015
Contacts meetings with Argus, Brighton Indy and Latest. Also good meeting with Brighton Journalist Works for trainee journalists. Local tv to be contacted next.
GP Public Forum
Brighton News online Student journo covered
Labour Party conference demo (not our press release; Peoples Assembly)
BBC Sussex & Surrey Radio Danny Pike Show Latest TV The Vote with Frank Le Duc
CCG full co-commissioning of primary care decision
The Argus (I think edited out)
Optum fiasco with Referral Management System
BBC Sussex & Surrey Radio Neil Pringle Breakfast Show Top of news on same radio Top story BBC South East after national news 0800 onwards.
Contacts meetings with Argus, Brighton Indy and Latest. Also good meeting with Brighton Journalist Works for trainee journalists. Local tv to be contacted next.
GP Public Forum
Brighton News online Student journo covered
Labour Party conference demo (not our press release; Peoples Assembly)
BBC Sussex & Surrey Radio Danny Pike Show Latest TV The Vote with Frank Le Duc
CCG full co-commissioning of primary care decision
The Argus (I think edited out)
Optum fiasco with Referral Management System
BBC Sussex & Surrey Radio Neil Pringle Breakfast Show Top of news on same radio Top story BBC South East after national news 0800 onwards.
Press Releases from Sussex Defend the NHS
For immediate release 8th November 2015
Yet another NHS crisis!
THE NEW JUNIOR DOCTOR CONTRACT
Is it Safe? Is it Fair?
Thursday 12th November 7pm - 9pm
St. Mary’s Church, Upper Rock Gardens.
Brighton BN2 1PR
ALL WELCOME
Last month saw a massive demonstration by junior doctors, healthworkers and the public expressing anger at the government’s attempt to impose an unsafe and unfair new contract on our doctors. A big, colourful and noisy contingent went from Brighton supported by our local campaign group.
This Thursday, Sussex Defend the NHS and our local BSMS students are organising a Public Forum to hear the case for the doctors and the future of our NHS. All are welcome.
Lucy, a Brighton medical student said, ‘This is all about current frustration in the medical profession about the proposed junior doctor contract changes and the way in which they have been presented to medics, students and the general public. We want people to know about the proposed contract changes including weekend working, the politics of healthcare strikes, and the implications of these propositions on the wider NHS workforce and on patient care.’
Dr Rob Galloway, RSCH A&E consultant, who earlier in the year wrote an open letter to David Cameron challenging him to come to Brighton to see what A&E are really struggling to cope with because of this government’s destructive re-organisation and underfunding of our NHS, is to speak on Thursday. He has today written a devastating indictment of what Jeremy Hunt and the government are doing. It’s here: https://www.facebook.com/robert.galloway.92/posts/10153148898156892
As well as Dr. Galloway, also speaking will be an RSCH Junior Doctor and BMA representative, a former A&E and currently Dual Diagnosis nurse and a local mental health nurse.
All press and media are invited to come along. This is expected to be a significant event both locally in Brighton & Hove and also given the strike ballot context, national attention.
For further information and speaker interviews contact Katrina Miller SDNHS mob 0775 238 0093
Yet another NHS crisis!
THE NEW JUNIOR DOCTOR CONTRACT
Is it Safe? Is it Fair?
Thursday 12th November 7pm - 9pm
St. Mary’s Church, Upper Rock Gardens.
Brighton BN2 1PR
ALL WELCOME
Last month saw a massive demonstration by junior doctors, healthworkers and the public expressing anger at the government’s attempt to impose an unsafe and unfair new contract on our doctors. A big, colourful and noisy contingent went from Brighton supported by our local campaign group.
This Thursday, Sussex Defend the NHS and our local BSMS students are organising a Public Forum to hear the case for the doctors and the future of our NHS. All are welcome.
Lucy, a Brighton medical student said, ‘This is all about current frustration in the medical profession about the proposed junior doctor contract changes and the way in which they have been presented to medics, students and the general public. We want people to know about the proposed contract changes including weekend working, the politics of healthcare strikes, and the implications of these propositions on the wider NHS workforce and on patient care.’
Dr Rob Galloway, RSCH A&E consultant, who earlier in the year wrote an open letter to David Cameron challenging him to come to Brighton to see what A&E are really struggling to cope with because of this government’s destructive re-organisation and underfunding of our NHS, is to speak on Thursday. He has today written a devastating indictment of what Jeremy Hunt and the government are doing. It’s here: https://www.facebook.com/robert.galloway.92/posts/10153148898156892
As well as Dr. Galloway, also speaking will be an RSCH Junior Doctor and BMA representative, a former A&E and currently Dual Diagnosis nurse and a local mental health nurse.
All press and media are invited to come along. This is expected to be a significant event both locally in Brighton & Hove and also given the strike ballot context, national attention.
For further information and speaker interviews contact Katrina Miller SDNHS mob 0775 238 0093
For immediate release 26th October 2015
Who are we to believe? The doctors or those who stand by and watch?
Healthwatch only stands by and watches part of the story.
Download doc from below or view image below that
Who are we to believe? The doctors or those who stand by and watch?
Healthwatch only stands by and watches part of the story.
Download doc from below or view image below that
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 30TH SEPTEMBER 2015
LOCAL DOCTORS PUT HOLD ON LOCAL SERVICE CO-COMMISSIONING Download doc from below or view image below that 
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For immediate release 1st October 2015
GPs angry at breakdown in hospital referral system. Download doc form below or view image below that
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