Say No to Privatisation!

The government’s obsession with forcing competition in the NHS continues despite continuing opposition from all walks of life. Huge petitions have been organised and I am pleased the organisation I support helped in this process.

NHS clinical commissioners interim president Dr Michael Dixon, who helped draft the Health and Social Care Act, expressed dismay at section 75 regulations that will force competition in the NHS and give rights to private companies.

Dr Dixon warned GPs risk taking “their eye off the ball” and getting “bogged down” in whether or not they are being competitive.

Dr Dixon also pointed out that clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) may have to defend expensive legal claims from private companies for not having put services out to tender.

“It is going to make everyone watch their back and a whole industry of people who challenge things back and forth as to whether they have been sufficiently competitive or not, and opens the window to providers to challenge the CCGs,” he said.

A rethink of section 75 has now been announced, but we must all keep up the pressure on our politicians and Government to abandon these proposals in their entirety. Say no to privatisation and please continue to defend our very precious National Health Service. Please at least do your bit and sign a petition. We have little time. Thanks.

Health Care and the Economy!

It was about eight years ago that I felt assured enough and to the best of my knowledge that the economy was going to ‘go  bust’. Very cheap and easily obtained mortgages was just one of the clues, backed up by historical facts and a little economics. Most economists got it completely wrong, often because they were in complete denial or wanted to protect their own interests in a speculative and so called free world. This continues today.

Now things have edged forward, I wish I had been wrong. Please do not believe the new ‘green shoots debate’. We simply have to start talking about a different society.

In the meantime, lets try to protect our NHS  from any further fragmentation and  privatisation.

The Clinical Commissioning Groups will play a major role in commissioning health services and will have a nationwide budget of billions of pounds at their disposal. They are tasked with developing Commissioning Plans and replacing the role of Primary Care Trusts.The CCG’s will have responsibility for commissioning or buying health and care services including non-specialist acute services, community services, and continuing healthcare, Mental Health and other important services.

The big move to privatisation is the requirement upon CCG’s to contract with any qualified provider’.

Influence over the CCG’s is therefore of paramount importance.

Meetings need to be convened to involve local people in campaigning to pressure their CCG’s to make changes to their constitutions.

Ivor Timson

Diary date: Saturday 10th November 2012- Birmingham- 1-15 pm 0nwards. Carr’s Lane- Church Centre, Birmingham UK. Who owns our NHS? Speakers and refreshments.

Twaddle from the USA!

The Government is failing in its pledge to rebalance the economy, which is now more dependent than ever on financial services and still remains hell bent on destroying our National Health Service. Of course, it has  little chance of rebalancing the economy, particularly as it is in denial about so many economic facts. But it can reverse some of it’s lunatic policies of further fragmentation of our healthcare system and privatisation. The worldwide system of capitalism is in a deep and irreparable state of crisis. And do not believe the twaddle from the USA economists. It is a tissue of lies.

If you live in or around Birmingham UK- join us at the following meeting.

March and Rally- Who Owns the NHS? 10th November 2012- 1-15pm

The list of speakers for this important meeting and rally is now confirmed as;

Peter Last WMPC- Chair
Joe Morgan- GMB Regional Secretary
Dr Jacky Davis- NHS Consultants Association
John Partridge- Unite Regional Assistant Secretary
Mary Locke- Unison NEC and Health Worker 

Gail Adams- Head of Nursing- Unison- Chair of Mary Seacole Committee- Unison.

Meeting at Carr’s Lane Church Centre, Birmingham City Centre, Near Birmingham New Street Station- Saturday 10th November 2012- 1-15pm- 5-0pm.

Plenty of opportunity for all those attending to speak and contribute to this important debate.

Ivor Timson MSc (Econ)

Mass Campaign to retain our NHS!

01-02-2012

The coalition’s NHS ‘reforms’, the biggest shake up of the health service in 60 years, are a “damaging, unholy mess ” that will need overhauling in five years’ time, the editors of three leading healthcare publications claim.The health secretary, Andrew Lansley, will attempt to soothe the anger of critics, particularly in the House of Lords where the health and social care bill will return next month, by proposing 200 amendments to the legislation later this week.

“The government’s NHS reforms have proved divisive and destructive. They have slowed the improvement of NHS services and cost the UK money that it can ill afford.” So many other organisations are vociferously opposed to the changes.

So for us all, it is still not too late to campaign to overthrow these changes to our precious National Health Service.  Please, write, telephone, e-mail, text or visit your MP and a Peer of your choice. Join or form campaigns in your area. Please see the many articles on our websites/ blogs, and please act now on a very urgent basis.

Any alternative and a genuine democratic society must surely have at it’s core, a system of health care which provides a comprehensive range of health services, which are free at the point of use to all residents. The various forms of ‘responsible’ capitalism now being discussed are full of contradictions and can never survive. We need real change with no more tax dodgers, corrupt bankers, politicians, speculators or generic phonies!