Footprint 33 says a resounding “No” to STP
REGIONAL CAMPAIGN TO OPPOSE STP – FOOTPRINT 33: NO TO STP (Footprint 33 - West and East Sussex and East Surrey)
Here is a link to the East Sussex Save the NHS website https://esussexsavethenhs.wordpress.com/
STP ACTION PLAN for LOCALITIES IN STP FOOTPRINT 33
Summary of Oppose STP initiatives so far
REGIONAL CAMPAIGN TO OPPOSE STP – FOOTPRINT 33: NO TO STP (Footprint 33 - West and East Sussex and East Surrey)
Here is a link to the East Sussex Save the NHS website https://esussexsavethenhs.wordpress.com/
STP ACTION PLAN for LOCALITIES IN STP FOOTPRINT 33
Summary of Oppose STP initiatives so far
Footprint 33 says a resounding “No” to STP
As we all know this government and NHS England are doing all in their power to ram STP through. STP has been developed behind firmly closed doors, with no public oversight or accountability, no parliamentary mandate and by the govt’s own admission - no legal basis. To cap it all NHS England recently announced unprecedented powers for STP Boards to over-ride any organisations disagreeing with the plans. Quite apart from destroying our NHS they are trampling over our democracy.
Like so many other regions we have no date for the release of this footprint’s STP – still described as a “work in progress”. All we know is that the “do nothing” deficit of £854 million to be cleared by 2020/21 keeps rising and NHSImprovement are crawling all over two hospitals and one ambulance trust. We know that all the govt /NHS England collaborators are busying themselves in the meantime with planning the implementation of the non-released plans.
It would be all too easy under these circumstances to feel that there is little or nothing we can do. But campaigns all over England are giving the lie to this. We can fight back and there are many ways we can do it.
This is an account of one of our strategies for fighting back in Footprint 33 (West and East Sussex and East Surrey).
Building a regional “Oppose STP” campaign
We started a few months ago with just 3 campaigns deciding to get together to write to the STP Board. The contemptuous reply from the Chair of the STP Board - Michael Wilson CBE (a recent acquisition for services rendered to the NHS) swatting our criticisms aside outraged and inspired us. With 5 CCGs and 6 local authorities, two unitary authorities and God knows how many NHS Trusts – what if all the groups fighting STP or remotely thinking about it came together to share ideas and strategy? What if there were 20 or more of us signing letters and threatening action? That could never happen could It? Could we possibly get that many campaigns, groups, parties and TUs working together?
Our last letter to the STP Board had 11 signatories. We are now up to 21 campaigns etc signed up with more getting agreement to joining. NHS and anti-Austerity campaigns, People’s Assemblies, Trades Councils, Migrant Solidarity groups, Pensioner action groups, Green party groups, CLPs, Trade Union branches. Representation from virtually every big town and city in the region. And all in a matter of weeks.
The next stage – no time for hanging about - is a regional meeting. Alternatively with such a big region – 132 miles along the coast from Emsworth in West Sussex to Rye in Kent, 50 miles from the coast to Crawley in the North maybe more locally-based meetings with common agendas and speakers.
Solidarity inspires more solidarity. The“Oppose STP” genie has been let out of the bottle in our region. With much greater collective realisation of how we are all being manipulated into submission by this govt and their hench-people we cannot see the genie disappearing any time soon. Whatever emerges from our campaign it can only help the cause of defeating STP.
As we all know this government and NHS England are doing all in their power to ram STP through. STP has been developed behind firmly closed doors, with no public oversight or accountability, no parliamentary mandate and by the govt’s own admission - no legal basis. To cap it all NHS England recently announced unprecedented powers for STP Boards to over-ride any organisations disagreeing with the plans. Quite apart from destroying our NHS they are trampling over our democracy.
Like so many other regions we have no date for the release of this footprint’s STP – still described as a “work in progress”. All we know is that the “do nothing” deficit of £854 million to be cleared by 2020/21 keeps rising and NHSImprovement are crawling all over two hospitals and one ambulance trust. We know that all the govt /NHS England collaborators are busying themselves in the meantime with planning the implementation of the non-released plans.
It would be all too easy under these circumstances to feel that there is little or nothing we can do. But campaigns all over England are giving the lie to this. We can fight back and there are many ways we can do it.
This is an account of one of our strategies for fighting back in Footprint 33 (West and East Sussex and East Surrey).
Building a regional “Oppose STP” campaign
We started a few months ago with just 3 campaigns deciding to get together to write to the STP Board. The contemptuous reply from the Chair of the STP Board - Michael Wilson CBE (a recent acquisition for services rendered to the NHS) swatting our criticisms aside outraged and inspired us. With 5 CCGs and 6 local authorities, two unitary authorities and God knows how many NHS Trusts – what if all the groups fighting STP or remotely thinking about it came together to share ideas and strategy? What if there were 20 or more of us signing letters and threatening action? That could never happen could It? Could we possibly get that many campaigns, groups, parties and TUs working together?
Our last letter to the STP Board had 11 signatories. We are now up to 21 campaigns etc signed up with more getting agreement to joining. NHS and anti-Austerity campaigns, People’s Assemblies, Trades Councils, Migrant Solidarity groups, Pensioner action groups, Green party groups, CLPs, Trade Union branches. Representation from virtually every big town and city in the region. And all in a matter of weeks.
The next stage – no time for hanging about - is a regional meeting. Alternatively with such a big region – 132 miles along the coast from Emsworth in West Sussex to Rye in Kent, 50 miles from the coast to Crawley in the North maybe more locally-based meetings with common agendas and speakers.
Solidarity inspires more solidarity. The“Oppose STP” genie has been let out of the bottle in our region. With much greater collective realisation of how we are all being manipulated into submission by this govt and their hench-people we cannot see the genie disappearing any time soon. Whatever emerges from our campaign it can only help the cause of defeating STP.
REGIONAL CAMPAIGN TO OPPOSE STP – FOOTPRINT 33: NO TO STP (Footprint 33 - West and East Sussex and East Surrey)
Composition of the STP Board – 5 CCGs from across the region: council chief executives; chairs of adult and social care services from each authority. Health and Well-being Boards aren’t represented about which some have been protesting. The Boards have no legal status, no parliamentary mandate. Meet in secret. No public accountability or oversight. Recently given unprecedented powers to veto decisions from stakeholders. Local authorities are sidelined in proposed governance structures. Moves to legitimise retrospectively.
How dangerous is STP?
The professed aim is much greater integration of health and social care. STP is the ultimate threat to the NHS, the final nail being hammered in by the government and NHS England. As can be seen above the STP Boards have been set up to develop these awful plans in secret with no consultation even with those in theory tasked with the plans’ implementation such as GPs.
There is momentum building round the country to stop STP with 32 local authorities opposing (and Hastings council), grassroots campaigning in every region and at least two judicial reviews being prepared.
As we all know we face an unprincipled government stopping at nothing to by-pass all democratic process to ram through the destruction of all public services. That includes dismantling, drastically cutting back and privatising the NHS which they want to mutate into a US style, private-insurance based perversion.
Our power and eventual success in defeating STP in this region (so-called footprint 33) lies in the solidarity and collective organisation of as many groups as possible.
Current state of play of the region’s STP
Here are the links to the two main reports released so far both produced in November last year. http://www.brightonandhoveccg.nhs.uk/your-services/sustainability-and-transformation-plan So far there is the main STP – Sussex and East Surrey STP (described on every page as a “work in progress”) and the development plan for Central Sussex and East Surrey Alliance (so called Place-based plan - one of three in the region).
In our region (at present with exception of Coastal West Sussex) NHSEngland and all the CCGs in East Surrey and Sussex have staged a coup. All of them have incorporated the so-called Place-based plans into their operational plans for 2017/19 giving them free rein to introduce STP with all the cuts, horrors and privatisation they have always had in mind.
Why we are calling it a coup – the main regional STP is still called a “work in progress” and is “supposedly” far from complete. But here they are implementing large parts of the Plan with no consultation or engagement whatsoever and without any of the decisions involved going near or by parliament. Most LAs have not been involved in the discussions but are also collaborating with the implementation of STP.
Various cuts are referred to in the main plan but not explained including -
So-called “do-nothing deficit” of £864 million by 2020/21 which has to be cleared.
According to Brighton and Hove CCG this figure is now much higher.
“Provider productivity” - £270 million – which we are sure relate to cuts and
substantial changes in staffing arrangements, continued erosion of pay structures and
contracts, down-grading, de-skilling and much more tendering out.
£112 million cut in social care services and many others – all unelaborated on.
With NHS Improvement in three NHS Trusts in special measures (BSUHT, East Sussex and SECAmb) the main Plan is awaiting the results of NHSI findings in relation to hospitals across the region to be finalised. The first step of NHSI was the merger of Coastal West Sussex and BSUH Trusts for 3 years.
West Sussex has an ACO (Accountable Care Organisation) which would be running part (whole) of the regional NHS system with the STP Board, ready to go. ACOs will be ripe for private takeover (if not with private involvement initially) and are being challenged in other parts of the country.
Suggestions for focuses for the regional campaign:
We have set up a Wiggio group which has more than 30 people on it in a couple of weeks. We see this as a one-stop place for all info shared about STP from all parts of the region. If you would like to join email me to send an invite. Wiggio avoids email bombardment as you can opt to have daily digests.
Action
From an original core group of 4 campaigns we have gone to more than 20 members in a couple of weeks with more joining as word gets round. People have already been making suggestions for regional action in addition to whatever we might all be doing locally :
Regional demonstration
A regional event to confront the STP board
Possibility of judicial review to halt STP
Other actions and events
STP group Sussex Defend the NHS.
Composition of the STP Board – 5 CCGs from across the region: council chief executives; chairs of adult and social care services from each authority. Health and Well-being Boards aren’t represented about which some have been protesting. The Boards have no legal status, no parliamentary mandate. Meet in secret. No public accountability or oversight. Recently given unprecedented powers to veto decisions from stakeholders. Local authorities are sidelined in proposed governance structures. Moves to legitimise retrospectively.
How dangerous is STP?
The professed aim is much greater integration of health and social care. STP is the ultimate threat to the NHS, the final nail being hammered in by the government and NHS England. As can be seen above the STP Boards have been set up to develop these awful plans in secret with no consultation even with those in theory tasked with the plans’ implementation such as GPs.
There is momentum building round the country to stop STP with 32 local authorities opposing (and Hastings council), grassroots campaigning in every region and at least two judicial reviews being prepared.
As we all know we face an unprincipled government stopping at nothing to by-pass all democratic process to ram through the destruction of all public services. That includes dismantling, drastically cutting back and privatising the NHS which they want to mutate into a US style, private-insurance based perversion.
Our power and eventual success in defeating STP in this region (so-called footprint 33) lies in the solidarity and collective organisation of as many groups as possible.
Current state of play of the region’s STP
Here are the links to the two main reports released so far both produced in November last year. http://www.brightonandhoveccg.nhs.uk/your-services/sustainability-and-transformation-plan So far there is the main STP – Sussex and East Surrey STP (described on every page as a “work in progress”) and the development plan for Central Sussex and East Surrey Alliance (so called Place-based plan - one of three in the region).
In our region (at present with exception of Coastal West Sussex) NHSEngland and all the CCGs in East Surrey and Sussex have staged a coup. All of them have incorporated the so-called Place-based plans into their operational plans for 2017/19 giving them free rein to introduce STP with all the cuts, horrors and privatisation they have always had in mind.
Why we are calling it a coup – the main regional STP is still called a “work in progress” and is “supposedly” far from complete. But here they are implementing large parts of the Plan with no consultation or engagement whatsoever and without any of the decisions involved going near or by parliament. Most LAs have not been involved in the discussions but are also collaborating with the implementation of STP.
Various cuts are referred to in the main plan but not explained including -
So-called “do-nothing deficit” of £864 million by 2020/21 which has to be cleared.
According to Brighton and Hove CCG this figure is now much higher.
“Provider productivity” - £270 million – which we are sure relate to cuts and
substantial changes in staffing arrangements, continued erosion of pay structures and
contracts, down-grading, de-skilling and much more tendering out.
£112 million cut in social care services and many others – all unelaborated on.
With NHS Improvement in three NHS Trusts in special measures (BSUHT, East Sussex and SECAmb) the main Plan is awaiting the results of NHSI findings in relation to hospitals across the region to be finalised. The first step of NHSI was the merger of Coastal West Sussex and BSUH Trusts for 3 years.
West Sussex has an ACO (Accountable Care Organisation) which would be running part (whole) of the regional NHS system with the STP Board, ready to go. ACOs will be ripe for private takeover (if not with private involvement initially) and are being challenged in other parts of the country.
Suggestions for focuses for the regional campaign:
- Challenging the STP Board, CCGs, HWBs, NHS Trusts at every opportunity
- Sharing information, ideas for local strategies including flyers, template letters etc
- Share and coordinate media coverage.
- Develop coordinated locality-based and regional actions and events.
We have set up a Wiggio group which has more than 30 people on it in a couple of weeks. We see this as a one-stop place for all info shared about STP from all parts of the region. If you would like to join email me to send an invite. Wiggio avoids email bombardment as you can opt to have daily digests.
Action
From an original core group of 4 campaigns we have gone to more than 20 members in a couple of weeks with more joining as word gets round. People have already been making suggestions for regional action in addition to whatever we might all be doing locally :
Regional demonstration
A regional event to confront the STP board
Possibility of judicial review to halt STP
Other actions and events
STP group Sussex Defend the NHS.
STP ACTION PLAN for LOCALITIES IN STP FOOTPRINT 33
The main STP for this region (footprint 33) is still called a “work in progress”.
You may or may not have an established campaign already. If you don’t the best thing you could do would be to produce a hard-hitting flyer to publicise a public meeting (we have examples you can use to help) to get more people involved. If you don’t yet have any funding your local Trades Council or a local union (Unite for example has the best policy on STP currently).
You may already have done / be doing some of these things. This is intended to be a check-list drawn from the experience of our campaign group in Brighton and Hove.
FINDING OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING
The papers for the Board of the CCG (Clinical commissioning Group) (particularly March)
You particularly need to look for the Operational Plan for 2017/19. The Brighton and Hove CCG papers for their March board meeting had 595 pages. We ended up splitting them between us to cover them all.
HWB (Health and Well-being Board)
Look through the minutes of the last two meetings.
What your local council knows and how involved
You need to find out exactly what your local council knew/knows about the CCG decisions on STP. If they signed off or have been duped. See below under action – Press release.
Contact your local Healthwatch
Supposedly they are supposedly there to act as our on what is happening to the NHS particularly of course STP. There is a Healthwatch representative on the STP Board.
PPG network (Patient Participation Groups)
Each GP practice is supposed to have one of these and are paid an allocation for them. Some are just mouthpieces for GPs and the status quo but others can be radical.
NHS workers
Many NHS workers are organising in unions or other groups. It is crucial to develop links.
ACTION – FIRST STEPS
Join the STP regional campaign network
Contact one of the following who will send you an invitation to go on Wiggio – the campaign’s communication platform. You can opt for daily or weekly email digests which avoids email bombardment. Wiggio is our one stop centre to share information about STP from across the region.
Contact your local Trades Council and trade union branches in your area
Unite currently has the best policy on STP – have a look at their website. Trades Councils and TUs may well already know about STP (or may not) but would probably be interested in working with you and at some stage agreeing funding to support your campaign.
Produce an informative Flyer (we have examples you can use)
Get it out on social media and as far as possible via stalls or door-to-door depending how many people you can call on.
Get a petition going to oppose STP (the CCG or your LA or the STP Board would be likely targets)
Get a press release together and cultivate local reporters
STP is not only a total attack on the NHS but also on local democracy. NHS England and the CCGs have effectively launched a coup. The most newsworthy item is likely to concern the local authority hence needing to find out what they have been up to.
Go and speak to other established campaigns in your area.
See if you can join forces and pool resources.
Run regular stalls (Sussex Defend the NHS are fortnightly)
Organise a public meeting – get experienced speakers to attend
The main STP for this region (footprint 33) is still called a “work in progress”.
You may or may not have an established campaign already. If you don’t the best thing you could do would be to produce a hard-hitting flyer to publicise a public meeting (we have examples you can use to help) to get more people involved. If you don’t yet have any funding your local Trades Council or a local union (Unite for example has the best policy on STP currently).
You may already have done / be doing some of these things. This is intended to be a check-list drawn from the experience of our campaign group in Brighton and Hove.
FINDING OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING
The papers for the Board of the CCG (Clinical commissioning Group) (particularly March)
You particularly need to look for the Operational Plan for 2017/19. The Brighton and Hove CCG papers for their March board meeting had 595 pages. We ended up splitting them between us to cover them all.
HWB (Health and Well-being Board)
Look through the minutes of the last two meetings.
What your local council knows and how involved
You need to find out exactly what your local council knew/knows about the CCG decisions on STP. If they signed off or have been duped. See below under action – Press release.
Contact your local Healthwatch
Supposedly they are supposedly there to act as our on what is happening to the NHS particularly of course STP. There is a Healthwatch representative on the STP Board.
PPG network (Patient Participation Groups)
Each GP practice is supposed to have one of these and are paid an allocation for them. Some are just mouthpieces for GPs and the status quo but others can be radical.
NHS workers
Many NHS workers are organising in unions or other groups. It is crucial to develop links.
ACTION – FIRST STEPS
Join the STP regional campaign network
Contact one of the following who will send you an invitation to go on Wiggio – the campaign’s communication platform. You can opt for daily or weekly email digests which avoids email bombardment. Wiggio is our one stop centre to share information about STP from across the region.
Contact your local Trades Council and trade union branches in your area
Unite currently has the best policy on STP – have a look at their website. Trades Councils and TUs may well already know about STP (or may not) but would probably be interested in working with you and at some stage agreeing funding to support your campaign.
Produce an informative Flyer (we have examples you can use)
Get it out on social media and as far as possible via stalls or door-to-door depending how many people you can call on.
Get a petition going to oppose STP (the CCG or your LA or the STP Board would be likely targets)
Get a press release together and cultivate local reporters
STP is not only a total attack on the NHS but also on local democracy. NHS England and the CCGs have effectively launched a coup. The most newsworthy item is likely to concern the local authority hence needing to find out what they have been up to.
Go and speak to other established campaigns in your area.
See if you can join forces and pool resources.
Run regular stalls (Sussex Defend the NHS are fortnightly)
Organise a public meeting – get experienced speakers to attend
Summary of Oppose STP initiatives so far
Regional Oppose STP campaign network across footprint 33
First regional meeting happening end April. 21 members from all parts of the region.
Judicial Reviews against STP
Legal opposition to STP building. JRs being prepared. Hammersmith and Fulham council are working on a challenge (think round lack of consultation). More information to follow.
National network of councillors opposing STP building (started by Bristol Protect our NHS – local names sent to them)
Building neighbourhood campaign groups
Val and others in Sussex Defend have been working on this the last few months. So far there are 5 active groups in the city with more eager to start.
Brighton and Hove council Health Overview and Scrutiny committee STP working group
Council investigation of STP. First meeting on 20th March. Started with COO of CCG. Confirmed that regional “do nothing” deficit of £864 million rapidly rising. No updates on STP.
Locally - continuing pressure on councillors, chairs of HWB and CCG board.
Pressure on local MPs round STP
Liaising with Caroline Lucas’s office re parliamentary activity on STP
Working with local media – to increase STP coverage. Radio interviews etc.
Pressure on the Labour party (from ground up)
Actions and events - local and regional
Possible coordinated “die-in” across the region, regional oppose STP march?
List of useful links
Health Campaigns together - http://www.healthcampaignstogether.com/ A great newspaper with latest news on STP every two months.
Excellent websites
StoptheSTPs - http://www.stopthestps.org.uk/
NHS Support Federation http://www.nhscampaign.org/NHS-reforms/sustainability-and-transformation-plans.html
Regional Oppose STP campaign network across footprint 33
First regional meeting happening end April. 21 members from all parts of the region.
Judicial Reviews against STP
Legal opposition to STP building. JRs being prepared. Hammersmith and Fulham council are working on a challenge (think round lack of consultation). More information to follow.
National network of councillors opposing STP building (started by Bristol Protect our NHS – local names sent to them)
Building neighbourhood campaign groups
Val and others in Sussex Defend have been working on this the last few months. So far there are 5 active groups in the city with more eager to start.
Brighton and Hove council Health Overview and Scrutiny committee STP working group
Council investigation of STP. First meeting on 20th March. Started with COO of CCG. Confirmed that regional “do nothing” deficit of £864 million rapidly rising. No updates on STP.
Locally - continuing pressure on councillors, chairs of HWB and CCG board.
Pressure on local MPs round STP
Liaising with Caroline Lucas’s office re parliamentary activity on STP
Working with local media – to increase STP coverage. Radio interviews etc.
Pressure on the Labour party (from ground up)
Actions and events - local and regional
Possible coordinated “die-in” across the region, regional oppose STP march?
List of useful links
Health Campaigns together - http://www.healthcampaignstogether.com/ A great newspaper with latest news on STP every two months.
Excellent websites
StoptheSTPs - http://www.stopthestps.org.uk/
NHS Support Federation http://www.nhscampaign.org/NHS-reforms/sustainability-and-transformation-plans.html
