Speakers include Dr Ron Singer (Medical Practitioners Union president), Steve Bell (Unison Health NEC member) and Bronwen Handyside (Hackney Keep Our NHS Public). Information about the government's plans will be outlined along with how these changes will affect health workers and patients, and there will be an opportunity for everyone to contribute to the discussion about how we can keep our NHS public and get involved in the campaign.
The government is on the rocks. Along with a forced retreat over forest sell-offs and its shady connection with the News Of The World phone-hacking scandal, the ConDems have been trying to attempt to water-down their NHS 'reforms' under pressure from the huge weight of opposition to their plans - comprised of trade unions, health professionals and almost 500,000 public signatures on the 38 Degrees online petition - but they have still left the threat of privatisation embedded in its Health and Social Care Bill.
Only this week the government announced £1 billion worth of NHS services are set to be opened up to competition from private companies and charities, which will place profits and bank balances ahead of patient needs and care. The Southern Cross care home scandal demonstrates why leaving vital services in the hands of the private sector has the potential for disastrous consequences which will effect the most vulnerable and those most in need of public support.
The introduction of the market into health services and the opening up of our NHS to private providers is making people sick. The British Medical Association representing doctors has this week voted to begin a campaign against these changes and 38 Degrees has raised over £30,000 to challenge the legality of this attack on our health service. The government can be stopped and we can save our NHS.
Come along to our meeting on Monday to find out more...
For more information about the campaign, please visit: