The following stories were selected from those sent as daily alerts under the search term ‘NHS’, and ‘Keep Our NHS Public’ from the Google alerts service. Please send any comments to Alan: [email protected]
31 October
May denies £10 billion funding pledge misleading
Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/oct/31/theresa-may-denies-that-10bn-nhs-funding-pledge-is-misleading
[15 more stories]
1 November
Cost of treating health tourists is killing the NHS
Odious, misinformed piece propping up the xenophobic agenda. Sadly, part of the growing tide of ‘post –truth’ journalism (see further below). Express http://www.express.co.uk/comment/expresscomment/727339/NHS-cost-treatment-foreign-tourists-Bimbo-Ayelabola
Dorset NHS management pushes health cuts (local)
Includes good report of Dorset KONP’s first rally: well done guys! World Socialist Web site
http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2016/11/01/dors-n01.html
Local MP says decision not to publish STP unjustifiable (local)
Norwich MP Clive Lewis speaks out. Eastern Daily Press (Norwich). Includes quote form Sue Vaughan, KONP Norfolk – well done Sue.
http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2016/11/01/dors-n01.html
NHS needs more money; where will it come from?
Call for a national inquiry on NHS funding which mentions using public money and suggests drawing it from pension budgets. Telegraph
Health chiefs say billions needed to avoid NHS crisis
Mirror: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/billions-pounds-needed-avoid-nhs-9176201
‘Health tourists’ to be ‘barred’ from UK entry
The Mail at its xenophobic, distracting best (worst). This must be on a par with putting Elastoplast over a burst artery when it comes to addressing the NHS deficit; yet here it is, centre stage as a national story. It’s the immigrants’ fault! How could we not see that?
Milburn says NHS is too complex
The fact that this comes as news is perhaps the most telling sign. BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-37846112
3 November
A&E doctors: warning of 3,000 shortfall
Telegraph http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-37846112
Campaigners head to parliament to protest to keep NHS public (local)
Relating to the NHS Bill rally on 4 Nov. Story placed through efforts of local journalist contact, Roseanne Edwards ([email protected] ) – demonstrating the value of having good local expertise if you can find it! (Alan Taman is now starting to build a network of local contacts to facilitate this – please send him any details of any in your area: [email protected] )
And the Banbury Mail: http://www.banburyguardian.co.uk/news/oxon-health-campaigners-on-the-way-to-london-to-battle-for-horton-survival-1-7662903
Thank you, Roseanne!
Patients struggle to see GP in Brighton (local)
Parlous state of GP services, as elsewhere. Brighton Argus
6 November
‘NHS problems not just about money’ – Hunt
Guardian report on Hunt’s interview on the Andrew Marr Show:
And you can see the Andrew Marr show on the BBC iPlayer (Hunt appears towards the end of the programme)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b082q91d
Cultural chasm between NHS and local authorities a threat?
At least someone is starting to raise the question! Guardian
‘Millions wasted on minor treatment’
Use of GP appointments that could have been avoided. Takes a health education stance without blame. Independent
KONP has received several calls from national outlets since the last summary, including requests for interviews or quotes from freelancers, and Share Radio.
This service is provided as a guide to the main stories, but you can get alerts sent about health stories yourself every day.
This is done through Google news and Google alerts: free services anyone can set up. To find out how to do this, go to the Steering Group, News & Events section on the KONP website (https://keepournhspublic.com/support-konp/steering-group-page/news-events/ ) and look for the “starter set of instructions”.
Mobile devices also have free apps that provide news, which you can filter with varying degrees of control.
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