2017 News

20th December 2017 – Raring To Go – dates now confirmed for KONPNE 2018

RARING TO GO IN 2018 – We are now able to confirm the dates of our Campaign planning meetings for next year; all on Thursdays, 6.30pm for tea and coffee, 7pm start and finishing at 8.45pm; and all at our new home – Meeting Room 1 at Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle city centre. 
Thursdays:
18th January
22nd February
5th April
17th May
28th June
6th September

There is a choice of lift or stairs to the meeting room on the first floor – but please still contact us beforehand  at konpnortheast@gmail.com if you are a wheelchair user. The Methodist Church is situated in Newcastle city centre and is located under one minute from Greys Monument / Monument Metro, at the end of the small access road which runs between Waterstones and Jamie’s Italian. 

We look forward to meeting up with KONPNE supporters – and if you have not yet joined us, then make it your New Year resolution! We guarantee a warm welcome!! We welcome all who care about the future of our NHS !!

Details about our next meeting are here

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20th December 2017 – Urgent Care services under review in Newcastle

NewcastleGateshead CCG are reviewing Urgent Care provision in Newcastle.
The CCG are at an “early listening” phase, essentially getting peoples opinion about Urgent Care, and have stated that they MAY enter into full engagement and consultation phases at some point in the New Year – this will be required if the CCG recommend any significant changes.

Please click on the three links at item 6 on the following Council document:
http://democracy.newcastle.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=1018&MId=8098&Ver=4

19th December 2017 – Sunderland KONP soon to be launched

Every so often, we are able to announce some good news!!
It is our great pleasure to confirm that a SUNDERLAND KEEP OUR NHS PUBLIC group will be launched in January 2018. This is a superb development and we wish them well. We will be advertising the details of the launch event as soon as this is confirmed by the new Sunderland team – in the interim, if you (or any friends / colleagues) live in the Sunderland area and wish to get involved with this new initiative, then please contact us at konpnortheast@gmail.com, and we will forward your details to the Sunderland organisers. A very warm welcome!

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8th December 2017 – Urgent Legal Action for Our NHS / JR4NHS CrowdJustice commences

The CrowdJustice appeal is underway, led by
> Dr Graham Winyard CBE – former Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Vice President of the Faculty of Public Health, and Medical Director of the NHS in England where he led the development of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE).
> Dr Colin Hutchinson – former Consultant Eye Surgeon in Halifax and Huddersfield and current Executive Committee member of Doctors for the NHS.
> Professor Allyson Pollock – public health doctor, Professor of Public Health at Newcastle University, member of Keep Our NHS Public, former chair of the NHS Consultants’ Association, and co-author of the NHS Reinstatement Bill.
> Professor Sue Richards – former senior civil servant in the Cabinet Office, a Director of the National School of Government and Professor of Public Management at Birmingham University, and co-chair of Keep Our NHS Public.
> Professor Stephen Hawking, the world-renowned cosmologist and a long-time proponent of the NHS.

This funding will enable a Judicial Review which aims to stop Hunt and NHS England from introducing new commercial, non-NHS bodies to run health and social services without proper public consultation and without full Parliamentary scrutiny. 

This is undoubtedly AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD in challenging the STP / Accountable Care Organisation approach being advocated by the Government.

THE CROWDJUSTICE FUNDRAISER WILL COVER LEGAL COSTS FOR HEARINGS. The team say:  It is impossible at this moment to know exactly what course the case will take. We need to have sufficient funds to cover the substantive hearing but also to be able to respond to all potential eventualities – such as permission being refused. For now, we estimate that an additional £120,000 (including VAT) would enable us to see the case through to a substantive hearing and judgment, and so we have a Round 2 stretch target of £144,000.

This would also help cover the risk of losing and being ordered to pay two sets of costs. Whilst we will ask the Court to cap our liability for costs, the Court cannot do so until after permission is granted.

PLEASE GO TO:  https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/jr4nhs-round2/

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8th December 2017 – South Tyneside CrowdJustice commences

Commencing today, and with help from specialist public lawyers at Irwin Mitchell, the Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign is challenging the legality of the decision to remove some vital local hospital services at South Tyneside Hospital.

They say “This is a huge challenge but if we work together we believe that we can help to Save South Tyneside Hospital. This is a David and Goliath situation – the NHS have already engaged lawyers and consultants to advise on the proposed changes. The changes are likely to be introduced very soon and therefore we need to act quickly. Some changes are already being made and we will obtain advice about whether the changes have been made lawfully”.

8th December 2017 – Huge turnout for South Tyneside SCBU and Maternity

Very lively lunchtime Protest, organised by the “Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign”, all in support of Maternity services and the Special Care Baby Unit, which have suddenly been relocated outwith South Tyneside. This follows the hospital Trusts claim that the service provided was unsafe due to staffing difficulties. But where are the adverts for more staff????

KONPNE joins with the “Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign” in calling for the re-opening of the Hospital Maternity and Special Care Baby Unit….and it sounds like more effective management is needed also – this situation should never have happened.

More information about the South Tyneside Campaign is at: http://www.savesouthtynesidehospital.org/

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6th December 2017 – Urgent Care is decided in North Tyneside

North Tyneside CCG website reports 

“In response to patients’ comments, patients will be able to use the Urgent Treatment Centre on a walk-in basis from 8am to midnight, in line with the current opening hours at Rake Lane walk-in centre. People will also be able to use the centre during the night by appointments booked via NHS 111. A home visiting service will also remain in place as planned.”

“Organisations bidding to provide the service will be asked to identify a suitable site. This may be an existing walk-in centre, or another location within North Tyneside.”

“The current urgent care services at Battle Hill Health Centre and Rake Lane will continue to operate until they are replaced by the new service in October 2018.”

This does, of course, fall far short of the 24/7 service which was deemed necessary by the self same CCG earlier this year and, indeed, went out to tender  – but which subsequently morphed into the above reduced service. The two North Tyneside MPs have, previously, publicly stated their dissatisfaction with the CCG proposal and the North Tyneside councillors unanimously voted in support of a 24/7 service, but it appears that their representations to the CCG fell on deaf ears…

See details at:

https://www.northtynesideccg.nhs.uk/ccg-decides-future-nhs-urgent-care-services-north-tyneside/

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4th December 2017 – Now NIL maternity in South Tyneside

Press Release – South Tyneside Hospital Campaign – 04-12-2017

The Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign points out that, as we are, people contacting us have been shocked and angered on the latest announcement to “temporarily pause” in the delivery of babies at South Tyneside maternity unit. This follows closely on the previous shock announcement two days before to “temporarily” close the Special Care Baby Unit. We have been contacted also by many of the staff who are equally angered by this decision.

Roger Nettleship, Chair of Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign, states:

“This has really shocked and angered everyone. Here is a Sunderland based Executive team that has come in with all its pretensions of a “path to excellence”, yet there is nothing excellent in the way they are managing the erosion of our hospital services in South Tyneside. There is nothing “safe and sustainable” about what they are doing to one of the best performing Maternity services in the country and what about the massive stress they are creating for the 165 mums-to-be over the next few weeks. This is crisis management and crisis driven wrecking of our acute hospitals”.

See events page for details of the Rally outside South Tyneside General Hospital on Friday 8th December

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4th December 2017 – In todays Journal….

The Governing Body of North Tyneside CCG due to meet tomorrow (Tuesday 5th December) to consider the future of urgent care services.  The meeting will be held in public at 11am at 12 Hedley Court, Orion Business Park, North Shields, NE29 7ST.

Link to NT CCG information about the meeting is here

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2nd December 2017 – Now THIS is what we call public consultation…..

Many conversations today regarding the need to retain a 24/7 Urgent Care walk-in service in North Tyneside.

Hosted by “Save North Tyneside NHS”, and held in the heart of North Shields town centre on a busy Saturday lunchtime, this very active public rally featured an open mic which was accepted by three local health campaign groups, local organisations, and importantly MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. Now THIS is what we call public engagement…..
Many thanks to the “Save North Tyneside NHS” group for the superb hosting.

The two North Tyneside MPs and all of the North Tyneside councillors have, in the last month, expressed their disagreement with the North Tyneside CCG proposal and, at the most recent Council meeting on 23rd November, the NT councillors have requested the Elected Mayor to resolve the situation with the CCG. It is apparent that North Tyneside CCG has no public mandate to take their proposal forward. Furthermore, all of this has occurred within a context of lack of public consultation – it appears that local democracy has been disregarded by the CCG

See posts below for updates on the North Tyneside CCG proposals to permanently close the overnight Urgent Care walk-in in North Tyneside. If the NT CCG plans proceed, there is quite clearly an accident waiting to happen.

John Whalley spoke on behalf of the KONPNE membership – read the transcript of the speech here: North Shields Rally – December 2017

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1st December 2017 – “Temporary” closure of Special Care Baby Unit

Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign Press Release 1-12-2017

30th November 2017 – Much discussion!! And a new home for KONPNE!!

Another very busy meeting – and great to welcome new supporters also!

Plans made to liaise more closely with councillors, and to develop a targetted campaign around the NHS Bill in the New Year.

The agenda is here: 30-11-17-konpne-agenda  and notes from the meeting are here: 30-11-17-konpne-notes of meeting

Agreed that we continue to hold our meetings at the new venue – Brunswick Methodist hall. Agreed that the venue is central, and meets our needs very well.

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29th November 2017 – Email to North Tyneside Councillors

Dear Councillor Hall, Councillor Green and Councillor Day

I am writing on behalf of the many members of the “Keep Our NHS Public North East” group who reside in North Tyneside. I personally am also a resident in the Borough. 

Members have asked that I write to you to express our full agreement and support with the Motion which you presented to the Council on the 23rd November 2017 regarding the need to retain a 24/7 Urgent Care service at Rake Lane. We agree with you that, at the very least, the people of North Tyneside deserve full consultation, and it is wholly unacceptable that this has not taken place – the CCG “engagement” period of the last month is, of course, generally regarded as being both a sham and disrespectful. It is, indeed, extremely positive that your Motion was supported unanimously by your fellow Councillors.

Our group has informed North Tyneside CCG of our grave concerns regarding their proposal, and we are also meeting with North Tyneside Healthwatch next week. We are aware of a public rally in North Tyneside at the weekend which has been called with specific regard to the North Tyneside CCG proposal, and which is currently receiving much attention in social media. We also note that in addition to yourselves and the unanimous support of North Tyneside Councillors, our two MPs have also publicly voiced their great dissatisfaction with the proposal and the fact that the opinion of residents has not been properly sought. Apart from the obvious issues around the accessibility of health care, it does feel that local democracy has been overridden by North Tyneside CCG.

You will be aware that there is now a groundswell of opinion against the North Tyneside CCG proposal and the associated process, and we now look to our Mayor to take this further.

We have updated our membership about the current situation via email, website, facebook and twitter, with much positive feedback regarding your actions and your Motion. Additionally, I have emailed the Chronicle and the North Tyneside free papers earlier today, so that they are also fully appraised of the current situation.

I have copied this email to all members of the Health and Wellbeing Committee, Adult Social Care and Health and Wellbeing Sub-Committee, Mayor and Deputy Mayor, our two Members of Parliament and the North Tyneside Healthwatch Director and Chair.

With regards

John Whalley

Co-ordinator – KONPNE

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27th November 2017 – Slides from the Profs Himmelstein / Woolhandler lecture

Many people have asked for an opportunity to study the powerpoint slides from the recent Profs Himmelstein and Woolhandler lecture, and KONPNE are pleased to confirm that these have now arrived from across the Atlantic and are available here:

Himmelstein Woolhandler slides 2017

Many thanks to Professor Allyson Pollock for arranging and hosting this event in Newcastle, and to Professor David Himmelstein and Professor Steffi Woolhandler for the powerful and memorable presentation. We need to make sure that we learn from the situation over in America – and make sure that we don’t learn the hard way.

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23rd November 2017 – North Tyneside Councillors say NO

The proposals of North Tyneside CCG to permanently close the overnight walk-in Urgent Care service received a resounding NO from Councillors.  At the full meeting of North Tyneside Council on 23.11.17, Councillors voted UNANIMOUSLY to request the Mayor to
1) write to the CCG and the Minister of Health to retain the 24/7 urgent care centre at Rake Lane hospital and request a full consultation be undertaken throughout the Borough on these controversial proposals. 
2) campaign locally for the retention of our 24/7 urgent care centre at Rake Lane.

21st November 2017 – Budget Day Action

Click images to enlarge

Good to be at the Peoples Assembly North East “Budget Day Action and Big Winter Foodbank Collection” tonight and to stand together in opposing the Governments austerity measures which are affecting all aspects of public life – massive changes and cuts in benefits, education, housing, social care, policing, emergency services and – yes – the NHS
Excellent speakers urged the Government to use the Budget to scrap their plans for Universal Credit, to act to end the continuing drop in living standards, to end the public sector pay cap, and to invest in our public services.

13th November 2017 – North East STP Health Scrutiny Committee meets for the first time

The inaugural meeting of the “Northumberland Tyne and Wear and North Durham STP Health Scrutiny Committee” was held tonight at Gateshead Civic Centre. All seven Councils in the STP were represented by three Councillors each.

Councillor Mary Foy (Gateshead Council) was appointed as Chair and Councillor Wendy Taylor (Newcastle City Council) was appointed Vice Chair.

The meeting was also well attended by approx twenty members of the public as observers, including members of health campaign groups from across the North East.

11th November 2017 – From the top…..

EMAIL FROM A KONPNE SUPPORTER TO THE NORTH TYNESIDE COUNCILLORS WHO SIT ON THE NORTHUMBERLAND, TYNE, WEAR AND NORTH DURHAM STP HEALTH SCRUTINY COMMITTEE 

Dear Councillors

I am a former Director of Public Health in North Manchester and have spent my whole career in the NHS, trying to ensure that the NHS, Local Authorities and other related bodies implement the aims of the NHS to provide a comprehensive health service for all, funded from taxation, and free at the time of use, and to work towards reducing the health inequalities which still blight our country.

10th November 2017 – Trying to push things through quickly???

Members of KONPNE attended the NT Council Health and Wellbeing Sub-Committee last night, which is open to all members of the public. Shortly before the meeting, Councillor Karen Clark (chair) had taken the positive step in postponing the CCG agenda item about the proposed overnight closure of the Urgent Care service, as the CCG had wanted councillors to approve it – and the councillors felt that this was outwith their remit. Councillor Clark also noted that it is still the engagement period, and information from the CCG about their current period of “engagement” would be appreciated! 

Another example of North Tyneside CCG trying to push things through quickly?

The NT CCG report about their Urgent Care proposal is here (see pages 10-34)

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9th November 2017 – JR4NHS: now TWO legal cases are being considered…and funding secured from members of the public within 24 hours!!

Prof Allyson Pollock and colleagues have written to the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, to give him notice of their intention to seek a judicial review to stop NHS England from introducing new commercial, non-NHS bodies to run health and social services without proper public consultation and without full Parliamentary scrutiny.

These non-NHS bodies, known as Accountable Care Organisations (ACOs), originate in the US and will fundamentally change the NHS and involve a radical reorganisation of health and social services in England. They will have control over the allocation of NHS and taxpayers’ money. Their accountability for spending it and their obligations to the public will be under commercial contracts, not statutes. Prof Pollock states: “This is a critical time in the move to the privatisation and Americanisation of the NHS in England. It’s going to be a big fight to stop this and we need everybody to help”.

4th November 2017 – Huge conference gathering in Hammersmith

The NE was well represented at the “Health Campaigns Together” Conference today in London. Members of KONPNE and Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign travelled to Hammersmith – a great opportunity to share experiences and to meet with people from other health campaign groups from across the country.

Great speech from KEN LOACH on the NHS – hear this here

Video message from Jonathan Ashworth to the conference is here

The next HCT conference is scheduled for Saturday January 20th 2018 in Leeds – more information is here  Please keep the date free…..and join us in Yorkshire?

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2nd November 2017 – Journal letter….and still awaiting information requested from NT CCG

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30th October 2017 – ACO’s not welcome in the North East

Tonights lecture “IS US STYLE HEALTHCARE THE FUTURE FOR ENGLAND?” provided detailed, thought-provoking….and very worrying information to a packed lecture hall. Professor Allyson Pollock (Newcastle University) set the UK scene by reviewing the “Accountable Care Organisation” model currently being advocated by NHS England, followed by guests Professor Steffie Woolhandler and Professor David Himmelstein (both of City University of New York) who reported on their impressively extensive body of research spanning many years which highlights how the “Accountable Care Organisation” system in the US has clearly led to increased costs, reduced efficiency, privatisation and has, indeed, increased inequalities within society.
IS THIS THE FUTURE FOR ENGLAND?
The audience tonight comprised local councillors, Union activists, health campaigners, members of community groups, qualified and trainee medics and nurses (and other health professions), people from across the political spectrum and members of the public who care deeply about the future of the NHS. 
We all need to take responsibility in doing something about this NOW – at the national level by ensuring that MPs sign up to the NHS Bill and at a local level by joining a local health campaign and fighting against cash-driven hospital closures and fighting FOR a fully-funded, publicly owned and publicly provided NHS. On an individual and practical level, we need to ensure that all information about the reality of ACO’s is relayed to all members of the public, including local councillors.

“COMPLETELY THE WRONG DIRECTION TO BE GOING IF PRIORITIES ARE EFFICIENCY AND TO COVER EVERYONE WITH AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE”
Check out the video here from Prof Woolhandler and Prof Himmelstein. ACO’s =
> Increased costs
> no evidence of improved quality
> driving healthcare into corporate hands
> generates inequalities within society

“ACO’s ARE POTENTIALLY VERY DETRIMENTAL TO THE NHS”
Check out the video here. North East GP and Chair of North East BMA Dr George Rae comments on “Accountable Care Organisations” and how the lecture highlights:
> ACO’s potentially very detrimental to NHS
> Finance is very dominant part of thinking re ACO’s
> Need to be more awareness about what is happening to NHS
> Clinicians and public need to be consulted and listened to

“WE NEED TO STOP ACO’s HAPPENING HERE”
Check out the video here as Diane Jones of “Keep Our NHS Public North East” sets out three positive ways forward.
> Write to your MP re supporting NHS Reinstatement Bill
> Collect our leaflet, log on, join the Campaign, find out what you can do locally to stop ACO’s progressing
> Become active in the Campaign – please work with us

…and these slides more or less speak for themselves…the slide on the left demonstrating the growth in the number of US physicians (yellow line at the bottom) v growth in health administrators (blue block) 1970 – 2017

and the second slide demonstrating how USA spending on health exceeds total spending in all other nations

…and we are now importing this very same US “Accountable Care Organisation” model…..?

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28th October 2017 – Co-leader of Green Party sends good wishes to all health campaigners in the North East

27th October 2017 – North Tyneside MPs brand latest CCG proposal as “UNACCEPTABLE”

Joint statement from Mary Glindon MP and Alan Campbell MP regarding proposed permanent overnight closure of North Tyneside Urgent Care walk in facility:

“The CCG proposal as it stands is unacceptable. Effectively the temporary closure of the Urgent Care Centre at Rake Lane is to become permanent, without proper consultation but with a so called “engagement exercise” instead. Residents across North Tyneside will be receiving a lesser service than patients at Wansbeck and Hexham where a 24 hour service has resumed, despite them being less busy centres. The reason for that is entirely the fault of North Tyneside CCG who took the decision not to reopen, at the last minute.

26th October 2017 – North Tyneside CCG proposes PERMANENT night-time closure of Urgent Care department 

Well – the headline speaks for itself.

Click on the link here for the Chronicle report on the proposed closure, and the link here for the Chronicle report which gives the response of the two North Tyneside MPs.

Much more information about this proposal is obviously required from North Tyneside CCG, plus the time for North Tyneside residents to talk about and to consider this proposal properly. If North Tyneside CCG truly wish to engage with residents in North Tyneside about health developments, then they will need to ensure that a full and proper consultation about this important matter is scheduled. 

Find here EMAIL 26th October 2017 North Tyneside CCG the email sent to North Tyneside CCG from KONPNE this afternoon, with copies to North Tyneside health campaigners, MPs, councillors, Healthwatch and local press, as described. 

We will keep you updated

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17th October 2017 – Message from Rothbury

From Katie Scott, Save Rothbury Hospital Campaign:

Dear Friends

Victory! We won a considerable victory this morning – the Scrutiny Committee voted to refer the case to the Secretary of State for Health!

17th October 2017 – Future of Rothbury Hospital ward goes to Secretary of State

A packed council chamber….and the deeply unpopular proposed changes re in-patient ward closure at Rothbury was discussed at the Northumberland County Council Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee this morning.

The sketchy proposals brought by Northumberland CCG were considered by Northumberland Councillors to be lacking in a number of areas, including not bringing their proposals to the Scrutiny Committee in a timely manner, the quality of the CCG data was questioned, and there appeared great uncertainty as to the benefits of the proposed changes (commissioning a nebulous and non-specific “health and wellbeing centre”….whatever that means). Thus it proved absolutely no surprise that the Council voted against the CCG proposal (2 votes for, 5 votes against, 1 abstention) and, instead, it was agreed to refer the matter to the Secretary of State.

Well done Katie Scott and the Rothbury team who are fighting to retain the in-patient ward at Rothbury. It is crucial that the in-patient facility remains at Rothbury. The journey continues….

The comprehensive report written by the Rothbury Campaign Team is here

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14th October 2017 – Hundreds walk in South Shields to save acute hospital services

Todays March and Rally, organised by Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign, was one of many Campaign activities arranged in response to the deeply flawed proposals to downgrade hospital services at South Shields in areas including stroke, obstetrics and gynaecology (including maternity) and emergency care for children. 
Last year, when the first march and rally was held the campaign had listed 10,000 signatures…. now the petition holds more than 30,000 signatures….say no more!

Many thanks to Roger, Gemma and all at the Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign team for all of your continuing hard work south of the Tyne and for arranging such a successful event today.

John Whalley spoke on behalf of Keep Our NHS Public North East, and his speech is here:  SSTHC Rally – October 2017 – live version

Report from the Shields Gazette is here

…and some photos of this great event are here….

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14th October 2017 – audio and slides now available

We are pleased to confirm that there is now a  direct link below to the Newcastle University “Insights” website which contains the audio and slides from Professor Pollocks open lecture of 12th October – 

Please click here 

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12th October 2017 – Standing room only….

well…actually…the crowd of people attending the Allyson Pollock open lecture at Newcastle University tonight was so ginormous that an overspill lecture theatre needed to be made available, and the lecture relayed there also….so everyone got seats in the end….

“The dismantling of our NHS and why we need a NHS Bill to reinstate it”

Ultra-specific and crystal clear in detail, Professor Pollock outlined the ins and outs of health policy over the past twenty years, culminating in the Accountable Care Systems of today – an American import which is clearly orientated to a private health takeover.

Our NHS was the model for the rest of the world in 1948 – low cost, efficient and universal – and many European countries followed our health care model. We now need to reinstate it to public ownership. It is not too late, but we do require a change in law – and we can all contribute to making this happen.

One quick AND VERY EFFECTIVE intervention from yourself is 
1) check www.nhsbillnow to determine if your MP supports the NHS Bill
2) if not, please email your MP to ask that s/he supports the NHS Bill and arranges for a photo to be taken holding the poster in Margaret Greenwoods office at Westminster.
The address of your MP is located here:
www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/mps/

Information is also available at www.allysonpollock.com

Many thanks to the Insights Lecture team at Newcastle University for organising this public lecture – KONPNE has enquired as to whether a recording has been made, and we will keep you updated about this.

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1st October 2017 – We cross the Pennines….and Tories get the message in Manchester

Congratulations to the Peoples Assembly for organising the massive and highly successful march on the Tory party conference in Manchester today. KONPNE were there, alongside at least three coaches of people from the North East, plus the many others who travelled independently over the Pennines by car and train. 50,000 people in Manchester said NO to austerity and NO to the desperate Tory policy of privatisation and cuts to public services. We are the many and they are the few… the movement is gathering in strength and energy. Many thanks to North East Peoples Assembly, and to the North East Unions who arranged transport, and to all who travelled and joined in.

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19th September 2017 – KONPNE at council meetings

KONPNE are keen for members to attend local council meetings (“Health and Wellbeing” and also “Health Scrutiny” meetings) so that we have a presence at these meetings and are able to keep up-to-date with Council decisions regarding the local “Sustainability and Transformation Plan”…are you able to assist? These Council meetings are all open to the public, and you will not be expected to speak. Please contact us at konpnortheast@gmail.com if you are able to attend the Newcastle Council (at the Civic Centre), North Tyneside (at the Quadrant, Silverlink) or Northumberland County Council (at County Hall, Morpeth)
Forthcoming council meetings are:
Newcastle – 10th Oct 4.30pm, 12 Oct 4.30pm
North Tyneside – 9th November 6pm, 16th November 2pm,
Northumberland – 3rd October 10am, 12th October 10am
We will check the agenda’s in the week beforehand to check that relevant items are listed for discussion.

14th September 2017 – Newcastle Lecture and Q&A published today 

Earlier in July, Keep Our NHS Public North East were very pleased to welcome Professor Allyson Pollock, Director, Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University.

Professor Pollock delivered a Public Lecture (1 hour) and Q&A session (30 mins) as part of the NHS 69th Birthday events:

“Post-election reflections on the fate of the NHS in England and health and social care services in the North East”

The event was filmed in Newcastle, and the video may be viewed from today at

KONPNE youtube channel:   https://youtu.be/mrOOsbsZW6k

www.facebook.com/NHSPublicNorthEast (see post on 14th September)

https://twitter.com/KONPNorthEast (see post on 14th September)

Professor Allyson Pollock joins with Dr Helen Groom (Keep Our NHS Public North East), who introduced the event.

KONPNE were fortunate in being able to book the atmospheric and historic Neville Hall at the Institute of Mining, Newcastle upon Tyne, for the Public Lecture by Professor Allyson Pollock. In the following brief video, Simon Brooks (Centre Manager) sets the scene for the evening by providing a historical overview of the venue: https://youtu.be/WTq3H3Id1fA

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5th September 2017 – busy KONPNE meeting and superb presentation by the South Tyneside team

A busy KONPNE meeting tonight – lots discussed including the NHS Bill, ways of increasing liaison with councillors (focus on email information and attending relevant council meetings), the proposed motion to the Labour Party conference, and future events – the Peoples Assembly national protest in Manchester on 1st October, the public meeting being planned in the North East for late October (details out soon), and the Health Campaigns Together conference in London on 4th November.

Top of the bill for the evening was the wonderful presentation by Maddy Nettleship and Dave Herbert, who spoke about the work of the Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign – the movement in South Tyneside to save the hospital is gathering much speed and momentum, with a petition of 24,000 (yes – 24,000!!!!) signatures. If you missed it tonight, then a copy of the presentation is here: South Tyneside presentation 5th September 2017   Many thanks, Maddy and Dave, and good wishes to all in the South Tyneside team.

The agenda for the meeting is here: 5.9.17 KONPNE agenda and notes from the meeting are here: 5.9.17 KONPNE notes

If you care about the future of the NHS, then please read the notes (above) and get involved!! You will be made to feel very welcome.  Please contact us at konpnortheast@gmail.com

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17th August 2017 – a message from 38degrees

Last week in Shropshire, the Accountable Officer for Telford and Wrekin CCG publicly reversed the founding principles of the NHS.

“David Evans ( Telford and Wrekin Accountable Officer) summed up the debate by claiming a benefit for most people ‘while recognising of course that for some parts of the population there would be a disadvantage’. He went on to advise the Committee that ‘one of the founding principles was to try and make a decision based on the basis of the greatest good for the majority’. David Evans is completely wrong. The founding principles of the NHS are about comprehensive healthcare and universal healthcare – about all healthcare being available to all people. David Evans reversed the ethos of the NHS, and CCG members voted with him. It’s no wonder that members of the public responded with real anger” 

All across England, people in NHS decision making positions are saying “We put the patient at the heart of everything we do!” – then make decisions which actively discriminate against some of them.

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10th August 2017 – North East CCG’s provide feedback on the STP engagement exercise

CCG report on engagement activity around the vision, principles and approach of the draft STP;  23rd November 2016 – 20th January 2017

The links to the CCG websites are here – the same report and appendices is on all of the websites. The appendices provide information about the written responses and public meetings.

http://www.newcastlegatesheadccg.nhs.uk/get-involved/stp/draft-sustainability-transformation-plan-engagement-report/

http://www.northtynesideccg.nhs.uk/get-involved/your-views/stp/draft-sustainability-transformation-plan-engagement-report/

http://www.southtynesideccg.nhs.uk/get-involved/involve-me/stp/draft-sustainability-transformation-plan-engagement-report/

http://www.sunderlandccg.nhs.uk/get-involved/your-views/stp/draft-sustainability-transformation-plan-engagement-report/

http://www.northumberlandccg.nhs.uk/get-involved/stp/draft-sustainability-transformation-plan-engagement-report/

http://www.northdurhamccg.nhs.uk/involve-me/stp/draft-sustainability-transformation-plan-engagement-report/

The CCG report and appendices can also be located on our KONPNE website resources page here

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8th July 2017 – Health campaigners converge at Durham Miners Gala 2017

Durham Miners Gala 2017 – the 133rd Gala!
People. music, brass, grass, sunshine, a sense of solidarity, history and the absolute need to continue the fight…..
…..KONP Durham, KONPNE, KONP Leeds, Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign, 999 Call for the NHS and national Health Campaigns Together meet up at the 2017 Gala…..and here’s the kaleidoscope of pics!!!!….and here’s to next year!!!!

It was also great to meet up with Keith Venables for the first time. Keith is national secretary for the “Health Campaigns Together” organisation, an initiative to enable the existing health campaigns across England to liaise together, share experiences, and where possible work together on issues of common concern. HCT recently did a superb job in co-ordinating the NHS Birthday activity across the country.

Click here Keith on youtube for a brief video of Keith at the Gala and click here Brass band for  a video of one of the many brass bands in action in the city centre

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5th July 2017 – NHS nationwide!

Click on the link below for a Health Campaigns Together photodiary of NHS birthday celebrations across the country – including our own event here in the Newcastle

NHS day of action pictures

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5th July 2017 – Chronicle Live report, plus Chronicle Live video are here:

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/nhs-turns-69-north-east-13285838

NHS turns 69: North East campaigners warn the service is ‘at a precipice’

The NHS’s 69th birthday was marked with an event to ‘celebrate and defend’ the service in Newcastle.

Campaigners have warned that the NHS is standing “at a precipice” as the service celebrates its 69th birthday.

On this day in 1948, health minister Aneurin Bevan founded the National Health Service, which was set up to provide universal healthcare for all, on the basis of need, free at the point of use. Among those wishing it a happy birthday on social media today is the Royal College of Nursing, which described it as “Britain’s most cherished institution”.

Campaign group Keep Our NHS Public North East organised a day of celebrations to mark the occasion and thank NHS staff for their hard work and commitment over the past 69 years. But group co-ordinator John Whalley said: “We also remember that we stand at a precipice and will lose the NHS if the Governments current plans regarding service cuts, reorganisation and privatisation go ahead.”

Demonstrators gathered at Grey’s Monument in Newcastle on Wednesday for a birthday event. Balloons and banners helped to create a party atmosphere as passers-by wrote birthday messages in a giant card, which was then taken to the gates of Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary for staff and patients to sign before being posted to health minister Jeremy Hunt.

Mr Whalley said: “Here in the North East, the local Clinical Commissioning Groups are having to work with massively reduced budgets, and this is further compounded by huge cuts to social care.”

It has been a turbulent year for local health services, with CCGs currently working on the Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STP), which aims to find £900million in cuts to health and social care budgets in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and North Durham by 2021.

Campaigners are waiting to learn the fate of a 12-bed inpatient ward at Rothbury Community Hospital, which had been temporarily shut for seven months after health bosses found it was “underused”. A consultation into the ward’s future closed in April. Northumbria Healthcare NHS trust also announced last month that overnight emergency care at Hexham, North Tyneside and Wansbeck hospitals was being suspended for another three months. The move came six months after a “temporary” closure to help cope with high demand for services in the region, with staff redeployed to the Northumbria hospital in Cramlington. And a consultation has been launched this week which could see some stroke, maternity and children’s services move from South Tyneside District Hospital to Sunderland Royal Hospital.

Mr Whalley said: “Our event today will celebrate the birthday of the NHS, and we want to celebrate it for years to come as a fully funded and publicly owned and publicly provided National Health Service. So today we celebrate, but we must also defend.”

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5th July 2017 – HAPPY 69th BIRTHDAY NHS FROM ALL ON TYNESIDE!!  We must both celebrate and defend

Keep Our NHS Public North East, North East Peoples Assembly and Newcastle TUC co-hosted the Tyneside NHS@69 event at the Monument, and we were pleased to share this with many members of the public, Unison, Northern TUC, BMA, RCN, North East Pensioners Association, and Save North Tyneside NHS.

We celebrated the achievements of the NHS and thanked NHS staff for all of the hard work and commitment over the 69 years. We were helped along the way with two GINORMOUS birthday cards for all to sign (courtesy of national Health Campaigns Together), a special NHS birthday cake, balloons, speeches…and then off to the RVI gates for additional signatures and messages from Union representatives on behalf of the NHS workforce….and finally heading down to the Post Office at the top of Northumberland Street, and onward posting of the card to Mr J Hunt MP – just to remind him how much we care for the NHS in the North East.

We did the NHS proud today – celebration and VERY IMPORTANTLY stating loud and clear that we need also to DEFEND. We remember that we stand at a precipice and will lose the NHS if the Governments current plans regarding cuts and reorganisation go ahead.  It was great that so many people and organisations wanted to make it clear that we all call for   * no cuts or cash-driven closures    * fair pay for all NHS staff     * a fully funded, publicly owned and publicly provided National Health Service

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NHS!!!! And many happy returns…..

The press release for the event is here: NHS at 69 years old – Press Release

Photodiary in 20 pics >>>>>>>>>>>>

  1: Peter Roderick, co-author of the NHS Reinstatement Bill

  2: Tim Wall, Save North Tyneside NHS

  3: Dr Helen Groom, KONPNE

  4: Clare Williams, Unison Northern Regional Secretary

  5: Happy Birthday from the North East !! We celebrate.

  6: Jessie Jo Jacobs, Northern TUC

  7: Sean Fahey, North East Pensioners Association

  8: Tony Dowling and Dawn Warcop, North East Peoples Assembly 

  9: Martin Levy, President, Newcastle TUC, adds a message

  10: It is actually heavier than it looks – en route to the RVI gates

  11: Lin Clarkson, RCN “Scrap the Cap Campaign” manager 

  12: Sheila Wilson, Unison Regional Organiser and Jacqueline Francis, Unison Branch Administrator

  13: Dr John Moore, Chair, BMA Northern Region Jnr Doc Committee

  14: Members of Keep Our NHS Public North East – Clare Bethell, Dr Lawrence Welch, Dr Helen Groom and John Whalley

  15: An important message – very true

  16: Dr Lawrence Welch flies the flag for Durham KONP 

  17: Good job we brought a largish envelope…

  18: ….now all addressed and ready to rumble

  19: ….and its off to the Post Office

  20: …..and hoping that the letterbox is big enough

This is what today is all about – the “new health service”, our NHS, founded 69 years ago on 5th July 1948. It has served us exceptionally well – so let’s save it for the next generation.

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3rd July 2017 – We welcome Professor Allyson Pollock – Public Lecture and Q&A

A thought-provoking Public Lecture and Q&A session was delivered by Professor Allyson Pollock in Newcastle upon Tyne this evening.

Entitled “Post-election reflections on the fate of the NHS in England and health and social care services in the North East“, Professor Pollock reviewed past and current developments in health provision and provided insight into ways forward for all who support and care for the NHS.

Professor Pollock is Professor of Public Health Research and Policy, and is Director of the Institute of Health and Society at Newcastle University. She is well known as a NHS campaigner, public health researcher, and for her work on NHS cuts, marketisation, privatisation and PFI’s. She is author of NHS plc, in addition to much other ground-breaking research work.

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1st July 2017 – #NotOneDayMore

A update from North East Peoples Assembly:
Todays #NotOneDayMore demo was a magnificent effort built in three weeks after the general election. We took a full coach down from Newcastle & many more north east supporters were there by other means. It was a great day and a great show of strength by the anti-austerity movement we have created. We need continuing campaigns over schools, hospitals and housing. One theme also ran through today: justice for Grenfell, which so epitomises everything that is wrong with our society.

Contact North East Peoples Assembly at nepeoplesassembly@gmail.com

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1st July 2017 – South Tyneside all out in support

Well done to the team at Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign who made an enormous impact at the South Tyneside Summer Parade – a massive amount of support was voiced by all present.
The South Tyneside Campaign continues. Please get in touch at www.savesouthtynesidehospital.org/contact to offer assistance.

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1st July 2017 – KONPNE make national news in HCT

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25th June 2017 – STP; the figures don’t stack up

Thankyou to John Kennedy, member of KONPNE, for the following analysis of data. Much appreciated.

The Government insists that it is investing more in the NHS with Teresa May and Jeremy Hunt citing an additional £8 billion investment – a very misleading claim. Since 2010 the Government in the name of austerity has substantially limited investment in the NHS. While hospital admissions have grown at an average rate 3.1% per year since 2012/13 NHS funding has only increased by 0.8% per year and under the manifesto claim will only increase by 1.2% per year until 2022. NHS funding has simply not kept pace with the demand for medical treatment provided by hospitals.
Faced with this shortfall in funding the Government has compelled the NHS to substantially reduce the numbers of patients receiving medical treatment within hospitals under the regional Sustainability and Transformation Plans.

24th June 2017 – No doubt – we say #ToriesOUT

MANY THANKS to Tony and Dawn at North East Peoples Assembly for organising and hosting a fantastic #ToriesOUT Rally at Grey’s Monument this afternoon. Speakers from a wide range of organisations highlighted the public services which are being slashed now across the North East – health, education, housing, fire services, and much more – all budgets slashed by the Tory Government.

The people in the North East say no more – #ToriesOUT – and will shout the message to Westminster at the London demo next Saturday 1st July. Coach tickets are available at nepeoplesassembly@gmail.com

Gail Ward (Defend Tynedale NHS Services) and Tim Wall (Save North Tyneside NHS) get the message across in Newcastle – see Gail speak here and Tim speak here

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23rd June 2017 – Hexham Courant editorial highlights Duty of Care

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22nd June 2017 – News just in

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has now announced that the temporary arrangements at urgent care centres in Hexham, North Tyneside and Wansbeck general hospitals will remain in place until September.

Since December 2016, the three urgent care centres have been closed between midnight and 8am. The temporary change was established in order to maximise staff skills during the busy winter period. The closures were extended in March 2017 as NHS services were said to remain at a high level.

At today’s board meeting, healthcare leaders at the trust agreed that it would be ‘inappropriate’ to deploy staff overnight at the urgent care centres. The trust has stressed that the move is a temporary decision and says it will continue to work with NHS Northumberland and North Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Groups on future arrangements. 

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22nd June 2017 – At Hexham General Hospital

KONPNE join forces with Defend Tynedale NHS Services outside Hexham General Hospital this afternoon. Northumbria Healthcare are discussing the future of the walk-in centre – specifically reviewing the temporary closure of the walk-in centre overnight since November 2016.
Hexham has already lost its A&E. The people of Hexham will make sure that the walk in centre does not go the same way.

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20th June 2017 – KONPNE survives the election!!

The main part of our KONPNE open meeting this evening comprised a general discussion about the impact of the election on the NHS and ways forward. It was good to sit back and reflect on the busyness of the past month. 
The meeting also involved some Campaign planning….
> our involvement at the Newcastle Rally on 24th June (see facebook event)
> our activity at the time of the NHS’ birthday (first week in July), including developing arrangements for the forthcoming London March and Rally, the Newcastle public lecture by Prof Allyson Pollock, and our participation at the Durham Miners Gala.
> considering ways of increasing contact with local people
> considering news from health campaign groups around the North East region.

An event flyer distributed at the meeting is here KONPNE – June 2017 flyer. and notes of the meeting are available here 20.6.17 KONPNE notes

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9th June 2017 – and the Courant joins the search for Guy Opperman…. where IS he??

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8th June 2017 – Polls open – and North East parliamentary candidates respond to three key questions put by KONPNE….

Further to our post below (21st May), please click here to read replies from parliamentary candidates: GENERAL ELECTION 2017 – Candidate responses collated up to 8.6.17 (9)  We realise that it has been a busy time for all candidates, and we thank all who have responded to our email. These responses will assist constituents to fully consider options. 

The document has been updated regularly over the past three weeks, and is now closed for the start of polling today.

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6th June 2017 – Conversations at the Monument

We met with many people at the #VoteNHS Roadshow at the Monument on Saturday – and many were keen to share personal experiences regarding contact with NHS staff and treatment within the NHS.

Five members of the public wrote down a personal message for our website, copied here, word for word….please click Conversations at the Monument to find out more…..

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5th June 2017  ….and still no word from Hexham Conservatives about health manifesto in Tynedale

The future of the NHS remains one of the key issues in the current General Election, and local health campaign groups “Keep Our NHS Public North East” and “Defend Tynedale NHS Services” recently joined forces to co-host a bespoke Tynedale Health Hustings at Hexham Community Centre. Parliamentary Candidates from Green Party, Labour, Lib Dem and UKIP contributed to a lively evening, with debate centring around the health manifestos of the main parties.

Unfortunately, the Conservative candidate was unable to attend due to a prior engagement. I do accept that these situations happen, especially in unforeseen and busy snap election periods.

However, on requesting the Conservative office to send a representative in place of the candidate, the written response was that they felt this to be “inappropriate”. I subsequently asked the Conservative party office to outline the rationale behind this decision as we feel that it is, indeed, very appropriate that the people of Tynedale have an opportunity to hear the stance of all parties standing. No response has been received from the Conservative office.

The future of health service provision along the Tyne Valley is a key issue affecting all residents – and certainly worthy of the highest level of debate and attention from all parties. The decision to avoid involvement in discussing this crucial issue is disturbing, to say the least.

John Whalley

Co-ordinator, Keep Our NHS Public North East

5th June 2017 – Disengagement with the public in Gateshead

A carer and member of KONPNE from Gateshead has recently emailed KONPNE with the attached information about Gateshead CCGs DISengagement with the public  – at a time when public consultation and engagement is supposed to be de rigeur.

Organisational structures and the associated groups and committees do, of course, change over time. However, lets be clear that if local people are willing to give up their own time and expertise on a voluntary basis to provide a carer or user perspective thereby promoting responsive and positive practices, then CCGs need to be bending over backwards to support their ongoing involvement. Similarly, if consultation and engagement is so highly prized, then the direction of travel must be more (not less) points of contact. Unless, of course, the term “user involvement” reflects empty words and organisational rhetoric.

Please click here to read this personal account:  Public involvement in Gateshead 

Pauline has already shared this information with Gateshead councillors and Gateshead Healthwatch, and intends to make her thoughts known to Gateshead CCG at the meeting today. It will be interesting to learn about the range of responses from the three groups (above), and Pauline has agreed to keep us informed.

If you have any thoughts or reflections on this crucial matter, please write to konpnortheast@gmail.com, and we will ensure that these are passed on to Pauline.

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4th June 2017 – The petition to the local CCG expands

Many thanks to all who have signed this already. You are very welcome to complete the online version of our petition by clicking here – the online versions will be printed off and added to the paper versions, and all will be provided to the CCG at a significant future date.

Our petition calls upon the local CCG to a) be transparent about future plans, b) work to ensure that services are fully funded and c) ensure that any future change to North East services are designed to maximise health and wellbeing, and are not financially driven.

Pity we have to spell this out to Newcastle Gateshead CCG (the lead CCG for Northumberland, Tyne, Wear and North Durham STP footprint)…..

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3rd June 2017 – 700 people say #VoteNHS

Today was pretty busy at the Monument in Newcastle upon Tyne – six hours of conversations, plus masses of #VoteNHS leaflets, KONPNE flyers, #VoteNHS balloons, window posters and a massive 700 people signing up to our petition (to the CCG about the STP), plus coffee and sunscreen all round. Many thanks to the members of “KONPNE” and “North East Peoples Assembly”, plus all other wonderful people who saw our event flyers and came along to help – 22 people in all, throughout the day.

So – we have four days left – we need to make sure that the North East #VoteNHS on Thursday.
We will be posting a different #VoteNHS flyer on our KONPNE facebook (click here)  and twitter (click here) today and for the following four days until Thursday – so….if you use social media….then please share these daily posts with all contacts on facebook and twitter, and ask them to share also. We need to get the message out far and wide that if we want an NHS in five years time, then we DO NOT VOTE CONSERVATIVE.

If you didn’t make it this afternoon and want to find out what was going on, then take a walk around the Monument by clicking here .

Thank you from all at KONPNE  x

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30th May 2017 – Hexham debates the NHS (but where are the Conservatives?)

KONPNE were pleased to join with local campaigners from “Defend Tynedale NHS Services” to co-host the Tynedale Health Hustings 2017.  Parliamentary Candidates from Green Party, Labour, Lib Dem and UKIP contributed to a lively evening at Hexham Community Centre, with debate centring around the health manifestos of the main parties. Many comments were made by the audience about the noticeable absence of the Conservative candidate, Guy Opperman.

John Whalley, Co-ordinator of KONPNE said “we are very pleased with the numbers of people who attended, which demonstrates the centrality of the NHS to this election, and we are grateful to the four candidates who outlined their health policies. Sadly, the Conservative candidate Mr Opperman stated that he could not attend due to a prior engagement – we did ask his office to send a representative, but with the response that they felt that this was “inappropriate”. We have asked Mr Oppermans office to outline the rationale behind this decision, as we feel that the people of Tynedale deserve the opportunity to hear the stance of all parties standing. No response has yet been received from Mr Oppermans office”.

KONPNE thank Wesley Foot (Green Party), Stephen Powers (Labour), Fiona Hall (Lib Dem), and Stuart Miles (UKIP) for their willing and active participation in this important event.

Now on hexhamtv!  Many thanks to Steve from @hexhamtv who filmed the event – please view the debate from the comfort of your home by clicking here

     Wesley Foot – Green Party

    Stephen Powers – Labour

     Fiona Hall – Lib Dems

     Stuart Miles – UKIP

……but where is Mr Opperman – Conservative …..or even a representative….?

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26th May 2017 – and the scene is set for debate in Hexham

Join us on Tuesday – all welcome!

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22nd May 2017 – Video from Newcastle GP Dr Jonny Coates: The Truth about the NHS in 2017

This says it all really.

Click here to watch the 2 minute video.

…..and now it over to you to share as many times as possible between now and June the 8th……

The youtube address is

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKzWJ1cobuA

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21st May 2017 – KONPNE puts three key questions to the North East parliamentary candidates

Today we emailed all parliamentary candidates standing in the 2017 General Election for Northumberland, North Tyneside,  Newcastle, Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland, with the following message:

Dear parliamentary candidate

“Keep Our NHS Public North East” are a local group of people who campaign for a publicly owned and run NHS. Our membership covers the whole of the North East, and we are also active on the web, facebook, mailchimp and twitter. Our contact addresses are listed below.

The future of our NHS is one of the foremost issues in the 2017 General Election, and we are writing to Parliamentary Candidates standing in the North East to ask the following three key questions. We would be grateful if you would please reply to the email address below. Your response and date of reply will be posted on the KONPNE website, with links from social media.

1 What will you do to stand up for local health services and will you actively campaign against local Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) proposals which detail £641m of cuts in the next 5 years to the region’s health services.

2 What will you do to ensure additional funding for the NHS in the immediate future to maintain existing standards and services, and will you oppose current plans to reduce NHS spending per head?

3 Will you fight for new legislation to reinstate a publicly owned and run NHS, and an end to wasting money on commissioning, management consultants and private sector profits?

We will start to publish replies in two or three days time…

NOTE TO CANDIDATES: We have contacted all parliamentary candidates (over 50 people!) who have registered an email address on the Democracy Club website. There are a few candidates who have not provided email addresses – if you are one of these, then please get in touch with us with your contact details, and we will let you know how to provide your responses to us. Thank you.

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19th May 2017 – KONPNE in today’s Hexham Courant

Hexham Courant covered our stall last Saturday – please see post below for more details

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18th May 2017 – News on our appeal for funds and THANK YOU

Many thanks to those people who have kindly donated money in response to our appeal last month. This is greatly appreciated, and every penny will be used wisely in our campaign to Keep Our NHS Public. It is fantastic to know that we have a committed group of supporters.

We would like to develop our Campaign activity further over the coming weeks and if anyone is in a position to help financially with a monthly standing order, then this would be a huge help. All contributions are very gratefully received, however small.

Our bank details are:

Bank:  Co-op         Sort Code: 08-92-99           Account: 65517907         Name: KEEP OUR NHS PUBLIC – NE

With many thanks from KONPNE  x 

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13th MAY 2017 – Freedom of Information request submitted

Following conversations this morning in Hexham (see news item below), KONPNE has now lodged a “Freedom of Information” request with North East Ambulance Service.

We require 1) the number of emergency ambulance call outs to Hexham and rural communities along the Tyne Valley and the response times, and 2) for those patients requiring A and E, the response time from telephone call to arrival at the house, the time taken to transport the patient to A and E, and the presenting problem. We gratefully acknowledge all the skill and hard work of the paramedic staff – what we query and what doesn’t seem to stack up is the rationale for moving (all) emergency and (night-time) urgent care so many miles away.

We will keep you posted.

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13th MAY 2017 – KONPNE in Hexham

Wind and rain this morning – but little to deter KONPNE members and the KONPNE “VOTE NHS” information stall in Hexham town centre – extra busy, as it coincided with the regular Farmers Market.

The press release about the Hexham information stall is found here: May 2017 Hexham info press release

Many useful conversations about the draft “Sustainability and Transformation Plan” proposed for Northumberland and, more generally,  about developments in the NHS. After experiencing the closure of the Hexham A and E, and then much reduced hours at the walk-in centre, a common theme expressed by many local people was a strong feeling of vulnerability, with no urgent care facility overnight and emergency treatment only after the journey to Newcastle or Cramlington. Some people referred to the “Golden Hour”  –  the time period lasting for one hour following traumatic injury being sustained, during which there is the highest likelihood that prompt medical treatment will prevent death. 

It is a huge concern that the people of Northumberland will most probably lose more clinical services in the months ahead. The draft STP, driven by continued underfunding, will lead to more cuts and closures – Hexham residents are keeping a sharp eye on developments up the road in rural Rothbury, where the fight is on to retain its in-patient unit. Of course, the double whammy lies with the much heralded “Accountable Care Organisation” (ACO) approach in Northumberland which, modelled on the American model of the same name, will pave the way for the large scale privatisation of health services across the county. 

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2nd May 2017 – and “North East Health Campaigns Together” is born

At a meeting in Newcastle this evening, six North East health campaign groups joined forces to create the “North East Health Campaigns Together” alliance. Whilst each individual campaign group will maintain its own identity and deliver its own Campaign strategy as before, groups will now join forces to share information, and to advertise and promote events across the region under the NEHCT “umbrella”. This is not a new group, but IS a new alliance, and makes a lot of sense given the draft “Sustainability and Transformation Plan” covers all of the North East region.

Given that the very existence of the NHS and publicly funded education is at stake in the upcoming General Election on 8th June, the meeting agreed that health campaign groups will join together with teachers’ unions to protest against catastrophic cuts at a forthcoming rally in Newcastle. We will support the ‘Stop School Cuts’ rally which has been called by the NUT for Saturday 27th May at Grey’s Monument between 12.30pm – 2.00pm. We need to bring funding issues to the fore in the General Election debate, and the campaign groups in “North East Health Campaigns Together” is calling on everyone affected by the cuts in the Health Service and Education – from teachers and doctors, to nurses and teaching assistants, parents, carers and the whole community – to join this ‘Stop School Cuts’ rally and to build support for a radical change of policy and increased investment in our vital public services.

30th April 2017 – Crowdfunder JUSTICE FOR THE NHS is launched this week by the wonderful “999 Call for the NHS” – please dig deep.

Remember the astounding 999 Peoples March for the NHS from Jarrow to London? This week, the “999 Call for the NHS” team have launched a crowdfunder to finance the legal battle against the STP’s – their findings will be relevant to all STP’s throughout England. Please PLEASE click the link below and dig deep.

Here is the message from our friends at “999 Call for the NHS”

Great atmosphere this afternoon for the North East May Day March and Rally – inspiring speeches and great music

Julie from KONPNE highlighted that 

“back in 1948, this country backed the biggest socialist experiment of all time – the NHS – AND IT WORKED….”

Hear the full speech here

Many thanks to the May Day Rally organisers for all the energy put into this event – it is very much appreciated.

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28th April 2017 – North Tyneside all set for Mayoral election on 4th May…..

KONPNE tracked down the four candidates who are currently in the hot seat for the North Tyneside Mayoral elections and asked three key questions:

(1) What are your views on the current position  of the NHS?  (2) What are your views on the content of the draft STP?   (3)  What will you do in North Tyneside to stop the further privatisation and commercialisation of the NHS?

Stuart Houghton – UKIP candidate – click North Tyneside Mayoral Stuart Houghton UKIP

John Appleby – Liberal Democrat candidate – click North Tyneside Mayoral John Appleby Lib Dem

Stewart Hay – Conservative candidate – click North Tyneside Mayoral Stewart Hay Conservative

Norma Redfearn – Labour candidate – click North Tyneside Mayoral Norma Redfearn Labour

Do the four candidates answer the three questions that we put to them? YOU decide and have the final word on May 4th….

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25th April 2017 – KONPNE meeting

A busy Campaign meeting this evening….Helen and Gerard presented “An Appointment with the Doctor” which outlined the challenges facing Primary Care, followed by discussion, and the second half of the meeting comprised an update and further planning regarding the KONPNE campaign.

The agenda for the meeting is here: 25.4.17 KONPNE agenda and the notes taken at the meeting are here; 25.4.17 KONPNE notes

The date of the next meeting will be arranged shortly and will be advertised on the KONPNE website, social media and by email.

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25th April 2017 – Rothbury speaks loud and clear

The Save Rothbury Community Hospital Team have shared their response to the CCG’s Consultation to close the 12 beds in Rothbury.

There are two documents. The first one is the major response and way forward, called ‘Save Rothbury Community Hospital Campaign Group, Response to the proposed changes at RCH’.
Here is a link to it: https://drive.google.com/open…

22nd April 2017 – Further developing KONPNE activity – an appeal for funds

Can you help any further? We are really grateful for any assistance that you have given to date in the “Keep Our NHS Public North East” Campaign. It is fantastic to know that we have a committed group of supporters. We would like to develop our Campaign activity further over the coming weeks and if you are in a position to help financially with a monthly standing order, then this would be a huge help. All contributions are very gratefully received, however small.

Our bank details are:

Bank:  Co-op         Sort Code: 08-92-99           Account: 65517907         Name: KEEP OUR NHS PUBLIC – NE

With many thanks from KONPNE  x 

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14th April 2017 – Pre-North Tyneside Mayoral Elections

KONPNE has written to all four people (Lib Dem, Conservative, UKIP and Labour) who have been nominated to stand in the forthcoming Mayoral elections in North Tyneside to ascertain their views on the current position of the NHS, the content of the draft STP, and what they will do in North Tyneside to stop the further privatisation and commercialisation of the NHS. We will keep you updated regarding replies……

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11th April 2017 – KONPNE Steering Group meeting

Busy business meeting this evening – consolidating our ongoing Campaign activity and deciding on future ways forward. These ideas will be discussed fully at the next KONPNE meeting in two weeks time – but in the interim, please click here for the notes from this meeting: 11.4.17 Steering Group notes

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11th April 2017 – Health Campaigns Together reports on the North East NHS March and Rally

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10th April 2017 – and still waiting information from Newcastle Gateshead CCG

Read the full update on todays blog by clicking here

And on a more positive note, KONPNE welcome the news that Newcastle Gateshead CCG have contacted all respondents to the recent CCG engagement period, asking that their individual comments are made available to all in an unedited form. This is a good step forward in terms of openness, transparency and collaboration.

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9th March 2017 – The views of local doctors and local voluntary services about the draft STP

THE VIEWS OF LOCAL DOCTORS ABOUT THE DRAFT STP: Here are excerpts from the response of local doctors (Gateshead & South Tyneside Local Medical Committee, and Newcastle & North Tyneside Local Medical Committee) to the draft Sustainability and Transformation Plan for this area, as published by NewcastleGareshead CCG.

THE VIEWS OF NEWCASTLE COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE ABOUT THE DRAFT STP: Here are excerpts re the draft Sustainability and Transformation Plan for this area.

NewcastleGateshead CCG have now published the draft STP (Nov 2016) and have completed their engagement exercise (January 2017) and there has, of course, been much criticism of this process. We anticipate that the CCG will now at least be open in sharing the content of this exercise, so that all are in a position to view the range of comments from all members of the public, stakeholders and organisations. KONPNE have written to the CCG seeking our requirement that the CCG supplies the following information, and acts in the spirit of honesty, transparency and TRUE engagement:
1) a copy of the STP engagement and consultation feedback (in unredacted form) from local organisations and the local community to the CCG, as collected via email, questionnaire, and meetings
2) the Appendices to the NTWND STP in full, as supplied to NHSE (as requested in our FoI dated 30th November 2016), plus information about the range of risk assessments carried out (as outlined in our FoI dated 22nd November 2016). This information has been recently denied – we require increased transparency and full information from the CCG.

We will, of course, keep you updated regarding this contact with the CCG.

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4th March 2017 – #OUR NHS – National March and Rally (London)

Click here for the video from Real News

and an open letter from the organisers of the London March states

“We are writing as representatives of some of the organisations who demonstrated on Saturday in support of the NHS. We were delighted that hundreds of thousands turned out in support of our world-renowned free healthcare system and in opposition to further privatisation and underfunding. Health workers and users from across the country were well represented and demonstrated the scale of opposition to government policies. We fear, however, that this Tory government is determined on further cuts in real terms to our health service, to care of the elderly and to other public services. We would like to place on record our continued opposition to these cuts and to government austerity policies, and to stress that this demonstration was only the beginning of a mass campaign to reverse these inhumane and damaging cuts. We urge Philip Hammond to use his budget this week to fully fund our vital public services. We are not prepared to see the services our parents and grandparents fought for be destroyed”.

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28th February 2017 – KONPNE meeting

At this meeting we were pleased to welcome Councillor Wendy Taylor, Chair of Newcastle City Council Health Scrutiny Committee, who spoke about the function of Council committees.

The complete agenda is here: 28.2.17 KONPNE agenda 1       and the notes are here:   28.2.17 KONPNE notes

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4th February 2017 – North East March and Rally for the NHS (Newcastle)

A superb video is here – many thanks to Simon Danby

and a second great video is here from DWMEDIA…two nice surprises.

The Newcastle Chronicle article is  here

and please click Newcastle’s March for the NHS  for the KONPNE facebook archive.

SATURDAY 4TH FEBRUARY 2017…..1000 PEOPLE RALLY FOR THE NHS AND AGAINST THE SO-CALLED “SUSTAINABILITY AND TRANSFORMATION PLAN”….and the message gets out to TENS OF THOUSANDS THROUGH WORD OF MOUTH, JOURNALISM AND SOCIAL MEDIA 

Keep Our NHS Public North East and North East Peoples Assembly thank all for the fantastic teamwork from individuals and organisations in the North East in making the March and Rally for the NHS such a huge success.

The sun was shining, the March procession from Framlington Place to the Monument was long, lively and musical, and the North East made it crystal clear that it is OUR NHS.

Speeches were made by….

Dave Anderson MP (Bayldon), David Donoghue (Branch Chair for Unite the Union South of Tyne), Linda Hobson (Deputy Regional Convenor, UNISON), Katie Scott (Save Rothbury Hospital Campaign), Roger Nettleship (Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign), Jo Land (999 Call for the NHS), Emma Lewell-Buck MP (South Tyneside), Dawn Warcop (North East Peoples Assembly) and Julie Armstrong (Keep Our NHS Public North East)

Click here for Key excerpts from the speeches.

Five North East MP’s present….

It was good to have the presence and support of five North East MP’s at the Rally – Dave Anderson MP (Blaydon), Sharon Hodgson MP (Washington and Sunderland), Mary Glindon MP (North Tyneside), Emma Lewell-Buck MP (South Shields) and Chi Onwurah MP (Newcastle Central).

….and messages of support

Messages of support were read out at the Rally from Shirley Ford (Co-ordinator, Newcastle Green Party), Pat Glass MP (North West Durham), Nick Brown MP (Newcastle East) and Catherine Mckinnell MP (Newcastle North). We are grateful for the thoughtful and encouraging messages from local Councillors from across the region.

 Huge thanks

Huge thanks to UNITE for printing, UNITE EEES Branch for placards, Newcastle Wood Recycling CIC for placard poles, Northumbria Police for road escorts, our stewarding team, Metro Radio and Newcastle Chronicle for pre and live reports, Iain Brown for brilliant photography and Andy Parkes for equally brilliant videography, thanks to our wonderful social media team and, of course, a big cheer to The Making Waves Choir, Blyth Valley Samba, Drumdin and Bethany Elen Coyle from NESS.

A big thank you to the pre-Rally publicity team, leafleteers on the day and for the organisers of the post-Rally public meeting at the Brunswick Methodist.

AND…..LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST ……. thanks to all North East individuals, families, groups and organisations who marched together on Saturday, and to those individuals who sent us the very many messages of support. The NORTH EAST MARCH AND RALLY FOR THE NHS was co-hosted by Keep Our NHS Public North East and Peoples Assembly North East, and was organised in association with Unite the Union (NEYH), Unite (Tyneside EEES Branch), Unison (Northern), North East Public Service Alliance, KONP Durham, KONP Gateshead, Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign, 999 Call for the NHS, North East Green Party, Newcastle upon Tyne Trades Union Council, Communist Party of Britain (Northern District), Save Rothbury Cottage Hospital Campaign, Teesside Peoples Assembly, Fighting 4 Hartlepool Hospital, and Momentum NHS. Many other local groups and organisations were, of course, present on Saturday and, together, we make a strong team .

OUR VOICE HAS BEEN HEARD VERY CLEARLY IN THE NORTH EAST.
WE DO NOT ACCEPT THE STP.
NO CUTS, NO CLOSURES, NO COVER-UPS.
We call for the full re-instatement of a comprehensive, universal, publicly funded, publicly owned, publicly provided and publicly accountable, national health service which is free at the point of use and has the resources needed to provide excellent health care for all on a long term, sustainable basis.

“SUSTAINABILITY AND TRANSFORMATION PLAN?”……We all know that STP more accurately stands for “SLASH, TRASH AND PRIVATISE”

Five North East MPs with the KONPNE banner at the Monument L to R Dave Anderson MP (Blaydon), Sharon Hodgson MP (Washington and Sunderland), Mary Glindon MP (North Tyneside), Emma Lewell-Buck MP (South Shields) and Chi Onwurah MP (Newcastle Central).

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17th January 2017 – KONPNE meeting

Focus on planning the forthcoming North East March and Rally for the NHS – two weeks time.

The complete agenda’s are here 17.1.17 KONPNE agenda 1   and here 17.1.17 KONPNE agenda 2   and the notes are here:   17.1.17 KONPNE notes 2

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9th January 2017 – organising meeting for the “North East March and Rally for the NHS”

Great to meet up tonight with representatives from KONPNE, Peoples Assembly, Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign, 999 Call for the NHS, Unite and members of the public to update and plan for the forthcoming North East March and Rally for the NHS (4th February 2017), and also to consider what we can do to promote the mega event in London (4th March 2017). Lots to do – but also lots of enthusiasm and commitment to ensure that the voice of the public is heard.

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5th January 2017 – meeting between KONPNE Steering Group and NewcastleGateshead CCG

Four members of KONP North East Steering Group and one person from KONP Durham met with Dr Guy Pilkington (Chair, CCG), Mark Adams (Chief Officer, CCG) and Caroline Latta (Senior Communications and Engagement Manager, North of England Commissioning Support) to present the KONP position on the draft Northumberland, Tyne, Wear and North Durham Sustainability and Transformation Plan.

We started the meeting by providing a copy of these Quotations for CCG meeting 5.1.17 and ended the meeting with a list of CCG meeting requirements . Our views about the draft STP were made loud and clear in the middle.

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4th January 2017 – word out in the press

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