2016 News

6th December 2016 – KONPNE meeting

We were pleased to welcome Steph Edusei, Chief Executive of Healthwatch Newcastle, who spoke of the local Healthwatch perspective on the draft Sustainability and Transformation Plan for Northumberland, Tyne, Wear and North Durham.

Steph welcomed further feedback from the group or individuals, and Healthwatch may be contacted here.

Discussion and report back also on the Five Wave Campaign Sequence (going well), and a decision was made to go forward with a North East March and Rally for the NHS in February next year…watch this space.

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1st December 2016 – and the Five Wave Campaign Sequence rolls across the NE

A big Christmas THANKYOU to all who love the NHS!!!  In the run up to Christmas, KONPNE campaigners work alongside members of neighbouring Health Campaigns and other members of the public in facilitating direct mass email contact with local Councillors in the seven Councils / STP areas in the NE – with particular emphasis on contact with those Councillors representing us on Health and Wellbeing / Scrutiny Committees – great to  receive the many messages of support in response. Mass email contacts also went out in progressive email waves from NHS supporters to all North East MP’s and all seven Healthwatch’s. Well done everyone.

 

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12th November 2016 – Health Campaign Workshop in Newcastle facilitated by Louise Irvine and Olivia O’Sullivan (Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign)

With continued NHS closures and cutbacks, and now the advent of STPs and the prospect of further massive amalgamations, cuts and closures, it is crucial that we take stock and spend time considering effective ways of campaigning in health. We need to consider where to best target our resources, what has worked well in other health campaigns and, also, to acknowledge strengths and achievements. 

We were delighted to welcome Dr Louise Irvine (Chair of the highly successful ‘Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign’, long-time associate of KONP, campaigner, and Lewisham GP) and Olivia O’Sullivan  (educationalist and Secretary of the Lewisham Campaign) who had both kindly agreed to facilitate the Workshop.

The workshop focused on

sharing experiences, ideas, and building links

updating on the current political situation regarding the NHS – privatisation / external contracts / downgrading, cuts and hospital closures / STPs / NHS Reinstatement Bill

successful health campaigns and fightbacks across the country, lessons learnt at Lewisham, and where it is best to apply energies to bring about change

current campaign skills and resources, what resources need to be developed and an action plan as to future direction (these will vary for different individuals and groups)

The day was open to all interested in developing knowledge and skills in health campaigning, and KONPNE were pleased to welcome friends from health Campaigns in Darlington, South Shields, Durham, County Durham, Rothbury and Sunderland.

The  KONPNE Health Campaigning Workshop flyer is here, together with the KONPNE-Health-Campaigning-Workshop-agenda .

Click here for powerpoint presentations: Louise’s Newcastle presentation and  Olivia’s Newcastle presentation

Links to a range of  interesting Videos are here, as discussed at the Workshop.

A brief video comment from both Louise and Olivia about the day is here.

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1st November 2016 – Steering Group meeting

Please click Steering Group Notes 1.11.16 2 for the notes from the Steering Group meeting.

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23rd – 25th October 2016 – KONPNE making footprints in wonderful County Durham

KONPNE are pleased to walk with 999 Call for the NHS in the Footprints March – taking the message to towns in County Durham. Closure of A and E’s are suggested and are outrageous – in body we walked with you for three days, but in spirit we are with you all the way.

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22nd October 2016 – in support of the Save South Tyneside Hospital March and Rally

Hugely successful March and Rally in South Shields, organised by Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign. A full platform of speakers, including John from KONPNE.

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4th October 2016 – KONPNE meeting

At this meeting we learned more about the forthcoming STP’s and about Accountable Care Organisations, plus updated on future Campaign activity.

Click here for KONPNE meeting agenda and notes 4.10.16

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16th July 2016 – National KONP AGM in London

KONP North East was represented at the AGM of the national organisation, held in London. Please click National KONP AGM 2016.07.13 to view the programme for the day.

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9th July 2016 – and a surprise rendezvous with Durham KONP at the Miners Gala

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7th July 2016 – KONPNE meeting

We were pleased to welcome Nick Dowson of the National Health Action party, who provided a presentation on “NHS Privatisation – past, present and future” 

The notes of the meeting are here:  KONPNE meeting notes 7.7.16 and ideas for summertime campaigning are listed at 2016 KONPNE options leaflet July

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25th June 2016 – We say NO to the provisions of the the Immigration Act

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23rd June 2016 – KONPNE Steering Group meeting

A small group of KONPNE members meet as a Steering Group – the purpose of this group is to agree ways forward by consensus, for individuals to take the lead on specific Campaigns, and to take turns as Chair at the main KONPNE meeting. We do most of our work by email, and very occasionally meet as a group.

The notes from our June 2016 meeting are here: KONPNE Steering Group Notes – 23rd June 2016 2   

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26th April 2016 – KONPNE join forces with the Junior Docs on the picket line at the RVI

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9th April 2016 – March and Rally for the NHS – Newcastle

Hugely successful March and Rally – with Helen speaking on behalf of KONPNE

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7th April 2016 – with the Junior Doctors at the Freeman

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22nd March 2016 – KONPNE meeting

The speaker at the meeting tonight is Dr Pete Campbell, who updated on the Junior Doctors dispute. Discussion also on KONPNE support of the Junior Doctors on the picket lines at local hospitals (dates and contact points agreed) and other future  Campaign activity.

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9th March 2016 – supporting the Junior Docs on the picket line at the RVI

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11th February 2016 – KONPNE meeting

Our first meeting after a break of a year or so – discussion focused on a review of past activity, what went well, and what could we have done better, and ideas for the future. Click here for KONPNE meeting notes 11.2.16

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9th January 2016 – in support of the Nurse Bursaries 

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