Press Summary: 1 August 2017

25 July

Protest against proposed merger set to be held in Burton (local)

Burton KONP cited – well done, Burton. A great example of ‘pre-publicity’ gained from cultivating a good relationship with the local press. Burton Mail

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/news/burton-news/protest-against-proposed-hospital-merger-225827

[11 more stories]

NHS to face unprecedented workforce crisis as vacancies rise

The chilling process by which privatization is achieved: run it down, make people complain, bring in the private suppliers. Independent

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/nhs-staff-vacancies-rise-10-per-cent-2017-86000-nurses-midwives-doctors-recruitment-crisis-brexit-a7858961.html

 

Private fertility clinic opened in NHS hospital (local)

A growing trend – privatized ‘choices’ opening in NHS buildings as ‘non-essential’ services are cut. A choice if you pay, that is. Chester Chronicle

http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/private-fertility-clinic-opens-countess-13389987

 

27 July

 

Labour demands inquiry into privatization of NHS-owned recruiter

Another example of a successful, efficient public service being privatized because it is successful and efficient. Could there be a clearer example that NHS privatization is driven by ideology, not ‘efficiency’? Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/jul/27/labour-demands-inquiry-into-privatisation-of-nhs-owned-recruiter

 

28 July

 

BMA accuses government of planned cuts shrouded in secrecy

STPs. What we have known for some time: they are clandestine, exclusive, plans to cut the NHS to unsafe levels and render areas ripe for privatization. Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/jul/28/nhs-accused-of-shrouding-500m-of-planned-cuts-in-secrecy

 

Campaigners want more cash for NHS future (local)

Report from a CCG meeting. Jan Gay, Lambeth KONP, quoted. Well done Jan. South London Press

https://www.londonnewsonline.co.uk/27688/campaigners-want-cash-nhs-future/

 

Staffs end-of-life plans scrapped after £840K spent (local)

CCGs decided to drop largest ever privatization plans in county. Perfect example of money spent on ‘consultancies’ that is wasted. Stoke Sentinel

http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/staffordshire-ccgs-scrap-535m-end-of-life-transformation-programme/story-30458922-detail/story.html

 

29 July

 

Plans to cut cataract ops dropped – for now (local)

Greenwich CCG’s plans to cut cataract operations and impose exclusions on people who are obese or who smoke have been dropped after protests. Greenwich KONP played a significant part in this. Evening Standard

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/health/cashstrapped-nhs-chiefs-abandon-plan-to-axe-cataract-operations-a3598446.html

 

31 July

 

Government promises ’21,000 extra’ mental health staff

But RCN doubts this is achievable. Money to come mainly from budget already promised for NHS.

Telegraph

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/07/30/government-promises-extra-21000-nhs-mental-health-staff/

And elsewhere

 

Nearly 40 per cent of GPs plan to leave service in next 5 years

As NHS faces intolerable burden through years of under-funding. No signs of extra funds here. Telegraph

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2017/07/30/nearly-40-per-cent-gps-plan-leave-nhs-within-five-years/

 

Recent national enquiries have included the Morning Star and LBC radio (the latter for live phone-in contributions).

These summaries provide a guide to the main stories in the preceding week, but you can get alerts sent about health stories to 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.