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 May
Dozens of trusts yet to set spending cap
Because the NHS is being deliberately under-funded, of course! Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/31/dozens-of-nhs-hospital-trusts-have-not-yet-set-spending-cap-targ
[7 more stories]
GPs ignored in STP plans
Why ignore the very people who can tell you the way it really is? Unless that is not what the ‘plans’ are actually about…GP: http://www.gponline.com/grassroots-gps-ignored-nhs-regions-draw-stp-reform-plans/article/1396702
1 June
Anti-privatisation event at local surgery (local)
Local campaigners to screen ‘Sell Off’ in local surger. Express & Star (Exeter): http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Crediton-doctor-surgery-host-privatisation-NHS/story-29348314-detail/story.html
Call for increased use of private appointments
Sinister and/or naive. Its premise ignores the fact that private treatment regarded as a ‘normal’ partner to the NHS would usher in insurance-based schemes and encourage even greater under-funding of the NHS. Independent: http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/if-you-care-about-the-nhs-you-should-pay-for-private-healthcare-a7059156.html
2 June
Think tank proposes doctors to pay back training fees if quit NHS
The NHS would pick up the tab unless the doctor quits before it is repaid. Sounds plausible on the face of it; but what happens when this is tied to worsening terms and conditions? Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/01/doctors-should-be-forced-to-pay-130k-bill-they-quit-the-nhs-repo/
Also reported, with a subtly different angle leaving the impression that medical students don’t pay anything at the moment and of course focusing on ‘foreign’ students, by the Daily Mail:
Secret plans on which the NHS depends
Pulse’s refreshing take on STP: http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/views/blogs/editors-blog/secret-plans-on-which-the-fate-of-the-nhs-depends/20031968.blog
3 June
Corbyn vows to block NHS privatization under TTIP if back in power
Go Jeremy! Mirror: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/jeremy-corbyn-vows-block-nhs-8099738
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