THE FIGHT FOR THE NHS
WHERE NEXT?
THE FIGHT
CONTINUES - FUTURE DEMANDS
- We should demand the repeal of the Health & Social Care act - but also backing in the here and now from trade unions and political parties for action against its implementation.
- A “PLEDGE” has been drawn up for clinical commissioning groups, which could also be sent to BMA and other conferences, and raised with PCT clusters. (See below)
KEEPING
UP A NATIONAL CAMPAIGN
- We need national action against the act and the ongoing attacks on the NHS. We should continue to campaign for a Defend the NHS national demonstration to be organises by the TUC and trade unions. The Unite executive has already agreed to call for one.
- We can’t wait indefinitely. You can vote for 38 degrees to call a demonstration here: http://tinyurl.com/84xaaoz. (members get more votes!)
- We should make the NHS an issue during the GLA and local elections. Some health workers led by Dr Clive Peedell of Bevan’s run fame are proposing to stand in the next general election against those who have supported the bill.
NATIONALLY
COORDINATED LOCAL ACTION
- AGAINST THE PRIVATE COMPANIES – STARTING WITH VIRGIN
We will organise action to highlight “Virgin Care”
with protests at Virgin stores in London
after Easter, and invite other groups to organise similar protests round the
country.
- TO HIGHLIGHT OUR DEMAND FOR THE “PLEDGE”
Encourage local groups to consider organising protests
and occupations at the board meetings of Primary Care Trust clusters (as KONP
did at Oxfordshire PCT)
MAKING
THE BILL UNWORKABLE – RESIST EVERY ATTACK
- Contact local Clinical Commissioning Groups to sign up to the pledge.
- Organise a campaign against any threat of privatisation or cuts.
- Encourage health workers to take action against cuts.
- Work with the new ‘healthwatch’ patients’ groups, but ensure that local patients’ and campaign groups act as effective opposition.
COORDINATING
THE CAMPAIGN
- Whilst we need as much coordination as possible at national level, local groups are key to mobilising and effective campaigning.
- Organise fringe meetings at union conferences to publicise and win backing for the campaign.
- NATIONAL NHS SUPPORTERS CONFERENCE 23 June
Friends House, Euston Rd, NW1 organised by Keep Our NHS Public
and NHS Support Federation will be a chance for all organisations to discuss
the way forward.
Give London
wide support to Camden
patients
fighting the closure of their surgery by a private company
DEMONSTRATE
At
NHS North Central London Board Meeting
THURS
29 MARCH 1.30pm
St Pancras
Hospital St Pancras Way NW1 0PE Kings X /Mornington
Cresc tube
FUTURE LOCAL
ACTION
Lewisham KONP
Meeting 22 March 7pm Waldron Health Centre, New Cross
Haringey Meeting 27 March 7.30pm Three Compasses, Hornsey
High Street N8 7NX
Hackney KONP
Meeting 29 March 7.30pm Stamford Hill Library, Stamford Hill, N16 5QT
Camden KONP
Meeting 02 April 7pm St Paul’s
Church, Camden Sq, NW1
Protest at
Circle Health 05 April
Welbeck St, W1
Ealing meeting
April tbc
Brent meeting 18 April tbc
Virgin London
Marathon 22 April – Encourage runners to wear appropriate signs!
Next London
KONP meeting Tuesday 17 April 7pm venue tbc
GET THIS
PLEDGE AGREED
- This Clinical Commissioning Group will uphold the principle of "first do no harm". We will take no action and adopt no policy that might undermine our patients' continued access to existing local health services that they need, trust and rely upon.
- In the spirit of clinically-led commissioning, we reserve entirely the right to decide who we contract with to provide services for our patients. We will take those decisions on the basis of the best interests of our patients and wider local communities, and we will refuse to allow Any Qualified Provider to be imposed on us from above.
- In the interests of transparency we will not engage in any contracts or negotiations which impose conditions of commercial confidentiality. We will consult local communities before implementing any changes that affect them, and our Board will make all major decisions relating to services in public session.
The action points above were agreed as proposals
for local groups at the London Keep Our NHS Public meeting on 20 March 2012
No comments:
Post a Comment