11 November
Campaigners fear Whittington’s A&E department could face new closure threat (local)
Islington Tribune. Quote from Sue Richards for KONP Islingotn. Well done, Sue. http://www.islingtontribune.com/whittington-closure-threat
[23 more stories]
Virgin Care grab continues
Charting the remorseless advance of Virgin Care. Mirror http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/700m-virgin-social-care-deal-9237399
13 November
Greenwich private bid for MSK service stopped (local)
Story citing Greenwich branch as the reason behind this success: well done Greenwich.
News Shopper: http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/14906359._Expensive_and_wasteful__privatisation_of_Greenwich_NHS_service_halted/
14 November
Plans to cut services in STPs kept secret
The King’s Fund’s report on the massive cover-up surrounding STPs. Sky News and widely elsewhere:
http://news.sky.com/story/plans-to-cut-nhs-services-kept-secret-from-the-public-10657061
Doctaly is no answer to the GP crisis
A counter-narrative to the stories a few weeks ago hailing this paid-for service, where people get a pay-per-consultation with a GP via an app. Catering to the worried well as the service collapses.
The Memo: https://www.thememo.com/2016/11/14/doctaly-app-doctaly-gp-app-nhs-crisis-privatisation-of-the-nhs/
15 November
Tory MP calls for NHS charges
Most worrying point is that they now feel emboldened enough to raise it in Parliament.
Why NHS cuts terrify people in power
BBC’s take on the tactics used to engineer secrecy over STPs etc and the political motive behind them. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-37978872
16 November
NHS leader says street protests could halt NHS plans
Chris Hopson’s remarks in the Telegraph. Pointed to by us in social media, causing a lot of interest
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/16/street-protests-could-halt-hospital-closures—nhs-boss/
Private contract failings highlighted
‘Catalogue of failures’ in scathing report about UnitingCare’s botched handling of services for elderly and mentally ill in Cambridgshire. Alarming that the story focuses on the NHS’s ‘poor ability’ to outsource – NOT the manifest failings of the private company itself. Victim blaming? Independent:
Islington KONP triggers town hall meeting over threatened hospital (local)
A great result for Islington KONP, in Jeremy Corbyn’s constituency. Islington gazette
Horton Hospital campaigners demo at Oxford (local)
Banbury Guardian: http://www.banburyguardian.co.uk/news/horton-hospital-campaigners-head-to-oxford-to-warn-of-cuts-dangers-1-7683044
NHS Confederation warns “7 day NHS” cannot be run “just for convenience”
Argument on cost grounds. Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/16/nhs-cannot-afford-to-run-seven-day-services-for-convenience-mana/
18 November
Reading council leak STP (local)
Details show cuts to staff. Bracknell News:
Protest against NHS cuts at oxford (local)
As STP details made public. Oxford Mail:
STP plans kept quiet (Local)
South Warwicks KONP take the lead in this story. Well done SWKONP. Leamington Courier:
http://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/news/future-warwickshire-health-plans-kept-quiet-1-7684748
Warning over longer waiting times and cuts unless NHS gets more money
Citing Chris Hopson. Fairly straight reporting from the Mail:
Cost cutting plans for Berkshire leaked (local)
Concern over STPs even in this Tory heartland. Newbury Today:
A&E, cancer units and maternity units to close
National picture of STPs. Though we were not quoted, Denis Campbell liaised closely with national KONP in acquiring information for story. Guardian:
Norfolk cuts through STPs (local)
Norwich Evening News. http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/health/here_s_how_norfolk_and_waveney_nhs_chiefs_plan_to_save_300m_1_4782694
20 November
In-house NHS staff agency privatised secretively
Independent: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nhs-privatisation-charges-professionals-in-house-agency-a7426966.html
Rural communities at risk from STPs (local)
Gain-saying the government mantra, ‘centralisation good’ – small comfort to anyone facing a 60+ mile blue-light journey to their nearest A&E. Yorkshire Post:
21 November
Two-thirds of doctors not consulted on STPs
BMA statement triggered this story. KONP was approached by Good Morning Britain for comment. This went out live nationally but was not uploaded to the website.
Mirror: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/secret-plan-22billion-nhs-cuts-9299803
Health chief says Whittington Hospital is safe despite STP (local)
Camden New Journal: http://www.camdennewjournal.com/stp-whittington-sloman
Cameron’s and May’s policies have led to biggest cash crisis in NHS history
Mirror: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/policies-pursued-theresa-cameron-led-9305941
22 November
ID may be needed for non-elective care
Mark Porter’s remark pointing out that the sums involved in treating non-EU citizens come to about 1% of the budget deficit facing the NHS gives this perspective. Lending weight to the case that this is about distraction as the Autumn statement looms. Relying on xenophobia. BBC News:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38060432
KONP continues to receive calls nationally from national and regional outlets. Recent enquiries have included the Guardian, Good Morning Britain (ITV) and BBC Look North (for STPs).
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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