2023 News

Saturday 23rd December 2023 – a sincere THANK YOU to all NHS staff

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Wednesday 20th December 2023 – Full Solidarity with Junior Docs

KONPNE stands in full solidarity with all Junior Doctors who, for the next 3 days, are fighting for fair pay, for the safety of us all and for the future of our NHS. The Government now needs to face up to the issue and stand up for what is right.  

CLICK HERE

for more information   

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Tuesday 19th December 2023 – Wes Streeting on the NHS

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Thursday 14th December 2023 – On the Toon

Some of the KONPNE team enjoying a festive get-together in Newcastle this evening – talk about campaigning not allowed!!….although banners still managed to make a presence!!

The banners are printed up and are now en route for prime locations outside ten hospitals in the NE….. the words say it all:
“THANKYOU TO NHS STAFF FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK. We will continue to fight for     *A fully funded NHS     *Fair Pay     *A Publicly Owned and Publicly Provided NHS”

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Thursday 7th December 2023 – KONPNE plans for the festive season

Lively discussions at tonights Campaign meeting, with much planned for the coming month into the New Year….  

CLICK HERE

for notes from tonights meeting – these are open for all to read.

Our next campaign meeting will take place on Thursday 4th January (always the first Thursday of the month at 7pm) at 7pm via Zoom – joining information is here  All are welcome!!

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4th December 2024 – Response received from the Integrated Care Board re our concerns

Further to the post below, KONPNE has received a response from North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board

CLICK HERE

to read the response

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Saturday 25th November 2023 – Much concern regarding public access to local NHS decision-making meetings and documentation

KONPNE, Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign and KONP Sunderland have, today, forwarded a jointly written open letter to North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board which focuses on openness, transparency and collaboration regarding decision-making at local sub-committees and Board meetings. Members of all three North East Campaign groups are increasingly concerned regarding hurdles to public access and involvement, a reduction in local democracy and restricted access to papers and information regarding some of these meetings.

We are aware that the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System is managed by a Chair and a Board of Directors, with a duty to provide healthcare for people in the area – but with some flexibility in the way in which it operates. We believe that the 2022 reorganisation of the NHS provides local NHS leaders with an opportunity to review ways forward, and we feel that attention to a number of practical process issues will lead to a healthier way forward for all. 

CLICK HERE

to read our open letter to NENC ICB – we will keep you informed of all responses.

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Friday 24th November 2023 – FOI feedback on privatisation of Newcastle Sexual Health

Following discussion at recent KONPNE meetings, it remains clear that there remains much public dissatisfaction with the privatisation of what was an established, well-used and effective clinical service provided by a NHS team. Following the FOI from KONPNE to Newcastle City Council, a response to our questions was received from the Council today . 

Our questions: 

Q:1 Was a Strategic Needs Assessment completed before the new Newcastle sexual health services were commissioned and, if so, when and where can we see this assessment?

Q:2 How does the new contracted service meet with the Governmental guidance around the need for a “one-stop shop” for sexual health services?

Q:3 How will the Council monitor the effectiveness and quality of the new Newcastle sexual health services?”

CLICK HERE

for more information and to read the Council FOI response.

To be discussed at the next KONPNE meeting on 7th December.

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Thursday 23rd November 2023 – Sign this letter from “We Own It”

Sign the Letter –  “Victoria Atkins: Reinstate our NHS as a fully public service” (We Own It)

Dear Rt Hon Victoria Atkins,

Congratulations on assuming your new role as Secretary of State for Health. On behalf of the whole country, we wish you the best of luck.

Over the past 2 years, as waiting list figures have skyrocketed, we have seen 4 Secretaries of State attempt to fix the crisis by increasing the role of the for-profit private sector in the NHS. We, the undersigned, are writing to you as you begin your time as Health Secretary, to ask you to face the facts: privatisation is wasteful, ineffectual and costs lives………. (continued)

Read and sign the full letter to new Health Secretary Victoria Atkins here:

CLICK HERE

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Wednesday 22nd November 2023 – They are our Representatives

In the comings and goings of day-to-day life, it is easy to forget that we still have a voice in decision-making (although it doesn’t feel like that at times) and it is important to hold our representatives (aka Councillors) to account. Please ask these three questions….. 

WE NEED NORTH EAST COUNCILLORS WHO ARE ACTIVE IN PROTECTING OUR NHS!! 

a) What will you do to encourage the local health commissioning body (“North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System”) to keep healthcare within the NHS? 

Privatisation puts profits before patients – a recent national research study from Oxford University links the deaths of 557 people with the outsourcing of NHS services –  see The Lancet, July 2022. 

Click here

b) How will you work to increase democracy in local health structures?  

Since July 2022, key decision-making and the direction of travel regarding healthcare has been set by the Integrated Care Board – responsible for health commissioning for over 3 million people over a huge geographical area covering the North East and North Cumbria. It is a top-down system brought about by The Health and Care Act 2022 which significantly reduces opportunities for councillors and local people to be involved in key strategic discussions

Click here 

c) What are you doing to fight for fair pay for all NHS staff?  

The current pay offers are derisory and unacceptable. Many NHS hospitals now have foodbanks for staff. Staff are underpaid and overworked, and it is not surprising that the NHS has over 130,000 vacancies. We need to stand alongside all NHS staff and demand that the Government finds the will to do what is right for NHS staff and for the NHS as a whole.

Click here

Please let us know all responses from Councillors – write to us at konpnortheast@gmail.com    Thank you. 

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Thursday 16th November 2023 – NO to Palentir – KONPNE contacts NENC ICB

It is extremely disturbing to find that the US spy technology firm Palantir has just been awarded a  £330m NHS Contract. We don’t trust Palentir with our health data, and we don’t trust them to respect the values of our NHS. This is a huge setback. But our fight for data protection and controls on data collection and processing isn’t over. Palantir may have won the contract, but HUGE questions remain about how the proposed new data system – the NHS Federated Data Platform – will work. 

CLICK HERE

to read our email to the local health commissioners North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board

and 

CLICK HERE

to find out more about the NHS Data Grab

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Thursday 2nd November 2023 – KONPNE Campaign Meeting

Much discussed this evening – updates from across the NE region, campaign work regarding the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System, updates on collaborative work with “We Own It”, feedback on the national KONP “Peoples NHS” campaign and supporters meeting, discussions and planning regarding questions to the “Integrated Care Board”, feedback regarding recent Freedom of Information requests, planning the Christmas poster campaign, updates on national events and petitions and much more….   

CLICK HERE

for the notes from the meeting – these are open, and available for all to read.

Our next meeting will be held on Thursday 7th December at 7pm via Zoom, and ALL ARE WELCOME.

CLICK HERE

for links to join the meeting and for more information.

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Friday 6th October 2023 – What IS this nonsense and where IS the Blyth MP???

2453 NEW DOCTORS….5969 NURSES FOR NORTH EAST”

We were extremely surprised to read the above headline piece of….errr,,,, “news” from Ian Levy MP (Blyth). It is certainly at variance with first person accounts from the wards, departments and hospitals throughout the region.

A North East resident wrote to the Blyth MP to enquire of his sources, but….surprisingly?….no information is as yet forthcoming from Mr Levy or his election agent.

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The initial email (13th September 2023):

Dear Ian Levy

I write with regard to the Summer 2023 “Cramlington and Killingworth Chronicle”, which was recently posted through my letterbox. I understand that this news bulletin is published by yourself. On the second page, an article reports that there are “2,453 new doctors and 5,969 nurses for North East and Yorkshire”. I would be grateful for a reference regarding the source of this information and, also, please clarify the dates that the figures relate to, and whether this data relates to private as well as NHS provision.

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Thursday 5th October 2023 – Plans for Autumn 2023 (and beyond)

Much discussed at tonights meeting!

Click here for the notes from our October meeting – these are open to all to read.  Find out what was discussed, and what we do!!  We need YOU to get involved!!!!

Also, click here for current campaign actions, plus details about our next meeting (Thursday 2nd November)

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Thursday 27th September 2023 – Connect with the Campaign organisation “We Own It” – live on YouTube on the first Thursday of the month at 5pm

KONPNE very often campaigns in association with the Campaign organisation “We Own It” – who are now live on YouTube at 5pm on the first Thursday of the month.

This is a fantastic way to find out the latest information about WOI health campaigning AND ALSO to help in getting the case for public ownership out to more people every week – the more people tune in to watch, like and comment on the livestream, the more new people YouTube will recommend the videos to….

CLICK HERE

to watch the Live broadcasts on the first Thursday (these are also available to watch after the session)

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Thursday 7th September 2023 – KONPNE speaks: notes from the September campaign meeting

Click here for the notes from our September meeting.

We need YOU to get involved!!!!

Also, click here for current campaign actions, plus details about our next meeting (Thursday 5th October)

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Wednesday 6th September 2023 – Newcastle City Council commissions private firms to run Sexual Health services in Newcastle

It is appalling that Newcastle City Council have seen fit to award the contract for Sexual Health services to two private companies: Solutions 4 Health and Preventx.
This new contract is due to commence on 1st October 2023.  Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust, the current providers, claim they were unable to submit a sustainable bid within the funding being offered, which seems to suggest that the funding provided from October will only provide for a reduced or inferior service.  It is important to highlight that Solutions 4 Health and Preventx will also be creaming off a proportion of the funding for shareholders – so even less money to be spent on services for patients.  We can only speculate about the type of service to be provided in the future.

This evening, members of KONPNE, the public and NHS professionals gathered outside Newcastle City Council chambers at the time of the full Council meeting to question Councillors and to make our views known – although many of the Councillors we met were not involved in this specific commissioning process, our views were received loud and clear. In addition to concern about the future of the service, our thoughts are also with the current highly-regarded and professional multidisciplinary NHS workforce who are each faced with difficult decisions regarding future employment. This is an appalling situation for the city and for the NHS workforce.

KONPNE is awaiting a Freedom of Information request from the city council regarding their decision-making processes, and a further FOI has been forwarded to Newcastle Hospitals this week.

Click here for links and more info on the privatisation of Sexual Health Services in Newcastle

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Monday 4th September 2023 – “Threads of Survival “  Exhibition now open at Sunderland City Hall

Another chance to see “Threads of Survival”!!

This fantastic exhibition of 28 quilts follows in the long tradition of protesting through the use of textiles.  Having been in Tynemouth over the summer, it is now in Sunderland at the Exhibition hosted by Sunderland & District KONP. 

You can view it at:
Sunderland City Hall, Plater Way, Sunderland SR1 3AA

Monday -Friday 8am-6pm until 18th September
FREE ENTRY

Don’t miss it!!

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Thursday 31st August 2023 – “Threads of Survival” moves on from Tynemouth

After a hugely successful six week Exhibition at Tynemouth Metro Station, “Threads of Survival”  has now moved on – but not without a farewell celebration at the station bar from KONPNE to see it on its way…. plus brand-new teeshirts to mark the event!

HUGE THANKS go to all who made the Exhibition happen – to the “Threads of Survival” team and “999 Call for the NHS”  for curating the artwork and for keeping it on the road for so long (the Exhibition has now been viewed in countless venues throughout the country, to wide acclaim), to “North Tyneside Art Studio”  and “The Bridge Gallery”  at Tynemouth Metro Station for providing such a wonderful public viewing space and for entertaining the idea of us using the gallery in the first place (the Quilts caused some lively conversations between members of the public – which is good), to the groups and organisations who provided financial support (we know who you are – and we couldn’t have done it without you), and to the thousands of residents, commuters and holiday makers who stood twixt platforms and viewed. All very much a group effort – and now up to us all to carry the message forward.

Join with us – we need your help – click here for info

Photos and videos are on this news page below (scroll to 31st July), and keep an eye open for a Threads review and reflections on our KONPNE blog here – to be posted shortly. Good wishes to our friends at “KONP Sunderland and District” who have now received the Exhibition and are making preparations for an opening event in Sunderland.

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Sunday 13th August 2023 – North of Tyne Mayor Jamie Driscoll  contacted to support “Threads of Survival”

Further to the posts below…..

Today we have emailed the North of Tyne Mayor, inviting him to confirm his agreement with the following statement:

“I support the Threads of Survival exhibition, currently showing at Tynemouth Metro. It is apparent that now, more than ever, we need to return to a fully public NHS – publicly-funded and publicly-provided. It is time to return to founding principles”.

We will keep you updated.

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Saturday 12th August 2023 – All 205 Councillors north of the Tyne know about “Threads of Survival”

KONPNE has now emailed all Councillors in North Tyneside, Newcastle and Northumberland with news about the Exhibition – our Councillors represent us and act on our behalf, and it is CRUCIAL that they take the time to view it

Dear Councillor

Keep Our NHS Public North East – “Threads of Survival” Exhibition now open at Tynemouth until 31st August

I am writing to let you know that the national travelling exhibition THREADS OF SURVIVAL is now open at Tynemouth Metro Station and will run for another three weeks until 31st August. It is located at The Bridge Gallery – the pedestrian bridge that links both platforms at Tynemouth Metro Station – and is open 7 days/week, free. 

Following shows at key locations throughout England – galleries, libraries, exhibition spaces, festivals, churches and minsters – we are very fortunate to host this Exhibition in the North East at the time of the 75th anniversary of the NHS. THREADS OF SURVIVAL continues the proud tradition of documenting important historical events and protest in quilts and textile art. It is a powerful collection of 28 items made by over 160 people across England, reflecting their experiences of the Covid Pandemic. The Exhibition is powerful and thought-provoking, has been very well-received, and makes some very clear points. It is apparent that now, more than ever, we need to return to a fully-public NHS – publicly-funded and publicly-provided. This isn’t the time to “reform or retreat” – it’s the time to return to founding principles.

Photos, videos and a report is here: https://konpnortheast.com/news/  (scroll to 31st July). 

The Exhibition is with us for a further three weeks only – it is crucial that it is viewed by as many people as possible.

Yours sincerely

***For more info, pictures and videos about “Threads of Survival”, scroll down three posts to 31st July

***Many thanks to the Councillors who have replied to the above email – it is good for the NHS to have your support

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Thursday 10th August 2023 – Key North Tyneside politicians contacted about “Threads of Survival”

The “Threads of Survival” Exhibition at Tynemouth Metro Station has been open for three weeks and, we feel, it fair to estimate that thousands of people have now viewed the Exhibition – residents, commuters, visitors, holiday makers and the many people who attend the weekend craft markets. It’s certainly eye catching, thought-provoking, powerful and skilful. And its angry – which is good. And occasionally humorous. 

Today, KONPNE contacted key politicians in North Tyneside to invite them to demonstrate their support for the Exhibition and for the NHS – see our email below, which is self-explanatory. 

Please watch this space and KONPNE social media. We will keep you informed of all replies / any lack of response.

Dear Sir / Madam,

Keep Our NHS Public North East – “Threads of Survival” Exhibition now open at Tynemouth until 31st August

I am a North Tyneside resident, and I am sending this email to the following people, on behalf of Keep Our NHS Public North East: Mary Glindon MP, North Tyneside,     Alan Campbell MP, Tynemouth,      Norma Redfearn, Elected Mayor,       Cllr Karen Clark, Cabinet member for Public Health and Wellbeing,        Alan Steele, Lead Candidate, North Tyneside Green Party,       North Tyneside Liberal Democrats,       North Tyneside Conservatives

We are very fortunate in being able to host THREADS OF SURVIVAL in the North East and, specifically, in North Tyneside. To mark this event in the Borough, members of KONPNE invite you to demonstrate your support for the Exhibition and for the NHS by confirming your agreement with the following statement:

“I support the Threads of Survival exhibition, currently showing at Tynemouth Metro. It is apparent that now, more than ever, we need to return to a fully public NHS – publicly-funded and publicly-provided. It is time to return to founding principles”.

I would be grateful if you would kindly forward your response to me at this email address, together with any additional comments and, if available, a photo of yourself at the Exhibition, and your support will be reported on in the regional KONPNE mailing, plus website, facebook and twitter.

Information about the Exhibition is below and attached.

I thank you for your attention

***For more info about “Threads of Survival”, scroll down two posts to 31st July

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Thursday 3rd August 2023 –  Summer time at KONPNE, and the Campaign continues

Much on the agenda at the monthly KONPNE campaign meeting tonight, including feedback on Campaign activity throughout July, contact with the Integrated Care Board, Freedom of Information requests re opthalmology, feedback on our involvement with the recent We Own It NHS birthday card campaign, discussions regarding nominations to national KONP EC and Steering Group, updates on our hosting of the current (and very thought-provoking) Threads of Survival exhibition at Tynemouth metro, information about the privatisation of Sexual Health services in Newcastle and our follow-up, details about the Peoples Assembly coach to march against the Tory party conference in October, and updates re KONPNE finances.  Much food for thought ….and action…. 

CLICK HERE

to read the notes from the meeting.

The next KONPNE meeting will take place on Thursday 7th September (always the first Thursday of the month) at 7pm via Zoom. All welcome!! More information, plus log on information, is here

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Monday 31st July 2023 – “Threads of Survival” now open at The Bridge Gallery, Tynemouth Metro Station

Well, what can we say? 

It’s been open for two weeks and, we feel, it fair to estimate that thousands of people have now viewed the Exhibition – residents, commuters, visitors, holiday makers and the many people who attend the weekend craft markets. Certainly eye catching, thought-provoking, powerful and skillful. And angry – which is good. And occasionally humorous. And a huge shout out to all who work in the NHS – you guys are truly INSPIRING.

Videos don’t do it justice in any way. Two shorts are linked below – they will give you an idea as to what “Threads of Survival” is about…but, on these videos, you won’t see the detail, skill, content and you won’t catch the feelings….

This Exhibition is unique and is with us in the North East for another four weeks – make sure you don’t miss it – closes 31st August 2023.

The Bridge Gallery, Tynemouth Metro Station (on the pedestrian bridge linking the two platforms). Open 7 days/week, free.

CLICK HERE

for the two minute Tynemouth promo

and 

CLICK HERE

for the seven minute Tynemouth walkaround 

***Please share these videos – the short video is now on our social media facebook and twitter  and we will post the longer video in a few days time….. BUT BE AWARE!!!!  Both of these videos do not do it justice – you need to experience it in person!!  In the North East until 31st August 2023 !!

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Monday 31st July 2023 – North East Bylines   

Now is the time to stake our claim for a return to publicly-provided healthcare – we have a right to it, and it belongs to us.  In this pre-election period, it is vital that we stand together to defend our NHS from those who seek to undermine its core values.

CLICK HERE

to read todays article in North East Bylines

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Friday 28th July 2023 – Blog activity increases 

If you haven’t done so already, it may be a good time to check out the KONPNE blog – we aim for thought-provoking posts from a range of people – let us know what you think……

CLICK HERE

to go to the KONPNE blog

Also – if you are interested in writing a guest post, please get in touch. Patients experiences, staff commentaries, suggestions for the future NHS, campaign ideas, reflections – we all have experiences and ideas and this may just be the right place to share them…..

Please contact us at konpnortheast@gmail.com

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Thursday 20th July 2023 – 15 campaigners @ NHS75

It’s July 2023, and OUR NHS is 75. KONP North East asks 15 Campaigners what we, collectively, need to do for the NHS to get to 100…..

CLICK HERE

to watch this ten minute video

Hear from: Dr Pam Wortley (KONP Sunderland),  Dr Helen Groom (KONP North East),  Mark Greenfield (KONP Sunderland),  Dr John Puntis (Co-Chair, National KONP),  Laura Murrell (Secretary, KONP Sunderland),  Roger Nettleship (Chair, Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign),  Vicki Gilbert (Community Activist),  Dr Helen Murrell (KONP North East),  Alec McFadden (KONP Sunderland),  Prof Allyson Pollock (Newcastle University),  Mark Ladbrooke (Chair, Socialist Health Association),  Keith Venables (Health Campaigns Together), Tony Dowling (Chair, North East Peoples Assembly),  Mike Forster (Chair, Health Campaigns Together),  Jude Letham (Co-Ordinator, KONP North East).

KONP North East thanks all fifteen contributors

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Wednesday 19th July 2023 – Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign wins award

Many, many congratulations to all the team at the wonderful Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign, who have won the “Love South Tyneside” award for “Communities helping Communities”. Hugely well deserved and reflects all your energy and commitment over many years and, importantly, shows the strength of support and respect for your work in South Tyneside.

With love from all at KONPNE

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Monday 17th July 2023 – Health Minister and Health spokespeople contacted by We Own It

Last week, 14,000 people plus the following celebrities added their names to the We Own It open letter demanding ALL PARTIES make the choice to invest in our NHS, not in private healthcare profits.

Dame Emma Thompson – Actor, screenwriter,  Stephen Fry – Actor, Comedian,  Siobhán McSweeney – Actor,  Joe Lycett – Comedian, TV presenter,  Jon Pointing – Actor,  Billy Bragg – Musician,  Rankin – Celebrity photographer,  Michael Rosen – Author,  Ken Loach – Film-maker,  Marina Purkiss – Broadcaster,  Rosie Holt – Comedian,  Jessica Fostekew – Actor, stand-up comedian,  Lee Ridley (Lost Voice Guy) – Stand-up comedian,  Lemn Sissay OBE – Official poet of the 2012 London Olympics, TV presenter

The letter was sent to the health minister Steve Barclay as well as the health spokespeople for Labour, Liberal Democrats, SNP, Plaid Cymru and the Greens.

Some of them have booked in meetings with We Own It, others have ignored the open letter.

So now these health spokespeople need to hear the message from their parties – from your MPs – to make them pay attention.

Can you take just 2 minutes now to send our email to your MP with the campaign’s demands?

Ask them to ask their party to:

**Invest in NHS capacity (not private profits) to deal with the crisis,

**Insource contracts, bringing them back into the NHS,

**Restore the NHS to its original purpose by reinstating the government’s duty to provide care to everyone in the UK.

CLICK OUR ACTION PAGE HERE

for more information

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Sunday 9th July 2023 – “Threads of Survival” touring Exhibition due to arrive in the NE

This touring exhibition will be arriving in the North East next week, and then all set for the Exhibition opening day on Saturday 15th July 2023 at the Bridge Gallery, Tynemouth. NOT TO BE MISSED!!

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Saturday 8th July 2023  – Durham Miners Gala 2023

Hosted by the Durham Miners Association (DMA) since 1871, the Gala is the world’s greatest celebration of community and international solidarity. A huge sense of history, and a unique and inspiring spectacle, it is always great to be present, and today was no exception. Wonderful to play a small part in this 137th Durham ‘Big Meeting’….

…. And a very positive response from all present – lots of interest and conversations, sign ups to the KONPNE email list, hundreds of “Health Campaign Together” newspapers distributed and, similarly, hundreds of “We Own It” NHS birthday cards signed to go direct to lobby MPs across the country. Also wonderful to meet up with  friends and  health campaigners locally and special thanks to those who have travelled from across the country –  including support from Mike Forster (Chair of Health Campaigns Together),  Keith Venables (Health Campaigns Together), Dr John Puntis (Co-Chair of national KONP), and Gilda Peterson (Campaign to End Social Care Disgrace / Leeds KONP).

In the speeches from the main stage out on the field – many references to the NHS and the 75th anniversary, and the need to fight for a return to the founding principles. Huge support from all present in Durham!

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Friday 7th July 2023 – Socialist Health Association  in Durham

Top keynote speakers tonight in Durham Old Town Hall covering the NHS, health Inequalities & the importance of the Trade Union Movement in shaping a corporate-free future.

Mary Kelly Foy MP, City of Durham: “All NHS workers need our full, unconditional support and solidarity. You are striking for all of us – to keep the NHS public. We have the power to change. Keep up this mighty upsurge of Trade Unionism – if we do that, then we will win”

Alex Gordon, President, RMT: “On the 75th anniversary of the NHS, the need for active solidarity has never been greater. We need a united front of Trade Unionism to give a united voice.  Opinion polls record sustained public support for the strikes”

Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor: “There is no better expression of unity and solidarity than our NHS. I sense a change – people have had enough of broken promises – people are looking for hope”

Allyson Pollock, Professor of Public Health, Newcastle University: “A lot of laws have been passed which dismantle, fragment, and destroy our NHS. A key issue is that the duty on the Secretary of State for Health to provide universal healthcare throughout England has been abolished in 2012, and that has allowed the break-up of the NHS and more privatisation. We can’t get our NHS back unless we reinstate it, and that will mean a major Act of Parliament. If we get a Labour government, then that must be their first commitment – to reinstate and restore the NHS”

Jude Letham – Co-ordinator, Keep Our NHS Public North East: “We must return to a fully-funded, universal, publicly-owned and publicly-provided NHS, which is free at the point of use”

Many thanks to Lesley and Steve and all friends at the Socialist Health Association for organising and hosting this event – the SHA is open to all to join. 

Click here: Socialist Health Association and https://www.facebook.com/SHANorthEast/

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Thursday 6th July 2023 – KONP Campaign Meeting

As always – a busy meeting!    Much happening in relation to NHS @ 75, and excellent that so many events are being held across the NE region.

CLICK HERE

for notes from the meeting- these are open and available to all to read

….and come along to our next meeting!!

Always the first Thursday of the month at 7pm via Zoom = Thursday 3rd August. Click here for joining info for Zoom.

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Wednesday 5th July 2023 – KONP Sunderland: NHS @ 75

Great to be with our friends at Sunderland KONP to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the NHS. The heart on the beach says it all, really.

We celebrate the 75 years of NHS advances and innovation in healthcare and we thank all NHS staff for their dedication and commitment – and we also protest the many cuts, closures and downgrading of departments brought about by this Government, we oppose the continued privatisation of services and we demand that all NHS staff be paid a fair wage.

The speeches at Seaburn beach this afternoon made this situation very clear. Happy Birthday NHS – thank you, and may you return to be a publicly-provided and national healthcare system. We stand by you all the way.

Chronicle: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/health/gallery/nhs-75-birthday-pictures-hearts-27264761

Sunderland Echo: https://www.sunderlandecho.com/health/giant-love-heart-created-on-seaburn-beach-to-celebrate-75th-birthday-of-the-nhs-4208482

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Sunday 2nd July 2023 – dates now confirmed for “Threads of Survival” Touring Exhibition in North East

The Bridge Gallery, Tynemouth Metro Station, North Tyneside

15th July – 31st August 2023 , free admissio

Keep Our NHS Public North East are delighted to announce that we will be hosting the “Threads of Survival” Exhibition in Tynemouth this summer.  “Threads of Survival” continues the proud tradition of documenting important historical events and protest in quilts and textiles.
This powerful exhibition, initiated by the campaign group 999 Call for the NHS, documents the personal experiences of over 160 people during the Covid Pandemic.  The collection now stands at almost 30 items, from cot quilts to king size.
Read more here.
See “Threads of Survival” between 15th July – 31st August at The Bridge Gallery, Tynemouth Metro Station. The Gallery is located on the pedestrian bridge, linking the two platforms at the station. Free admission.

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Saturday 1st July 2023 – Patients Not Passports

Dr Helen Groom (retired GP, Keep Our NHS Public North East, Patients Not Passports) speaking at the Northern March for the NHS, Leeds, 1st July 2023. 

“In 2012, the year the Health and Social Care Act was passed, the Government also passed one of many migrant bills. This brought in the system whereby Trusts now do identity checks; they have the ability to work out for every single patient what your care costs, and if you’re of migrant status then they have to legally charge you, and if you can’t pay then they send the debt collectors after you. They have to share this information with the Home Office, which stops many migrants from seeking the care that they are entitled to”.

Click the link below to listen to Helen’s speech to find out what you can do to oppose this. We need to ensure that OUR NHS is available to all.

Many thanks to Leeds KONP for organising the NHS@75 rally; we celebrate 75 years of healthcare in the UK, and also protest the underfunding, hospital closures, ongoing privatisation of services and low wages of NHS staff.

There is also a Patients Not Passports toolkit at https://www.patientsnotpassports.co.uk/

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Saturday 1st July 2023 – Northern March for the NHS 

*An end to the chronic underfunding of the NHS

*Safe staffing and pay justice for all health and care workers

*More beds

*Investment in the NHS not private health

*An end to social care disgrace

Great to be in Leeds today, sharing time with health campaigners from across the North, and getting a strong message across to people in the city centre – and with a very positive response.  This is an annual event we look forward to!  Thanks for the warm welcome, solidarity, inspiring speeches and superb music from the steel pan and samba bands.

Yes – We totally agree. OUR NHS is worth fighting for, and we’re in it for the duration.  Thankyou to @LeedsKONP, Yorkshire Health Campaigns Together and all of the organisers. With all good wishes from KONP North East.    

A strong voice in Leeds

Members of KONP North East in Yorkshire  /  Jude Letham, KONPNE Co-ordinator, addresses the rally

Great sounds!!  /  SOLIDARITY – Leeds KONP,  KONP North East, and Manchester KONP 

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Wednesday 28th June 2023 – The emotional demands of caring for others

A huge THANK YOU to Johannah Churchill

What a powerful Exhibition.

Thank you, Johannah, for so accurately portraying the emotional demands of caring for others – shown especially in your photographs taken at the time of Covid. Your beautiful and evocative work clearly demonstrates  that there is no more an important a job as looking after others at their time of need –  and workers in the  NHS do this, day in and day out. Thank you, also, for your spirit of generosity in setting up this extraordinary Exhibition in the first place, and in donating all proceeds to KONP locally.  We picked up, in many ways, a very special empathy and thoughtfulness from the NHS workers in the portraits and, also, the same qualities in yourself behind the camera and in planning and instigating this work.  Thank you from all at KONP North East.

Exhibition notes:

The show features a selection of Churchill’s powerful and emotive NHS worker portraits, exploring art and photography as a means of protest.  This pop-up exhibition was conceived as a public response to mounting concerns over the right to strike in the UK. Amongst the many images featured in the show is Churchill’s iconic portrait ‘Melanie March 2020’ (above) a haunting depiction of a nurse at the beginning of lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Exhibition is located at Pop Recs, 172 – 175 High Street West, Sunderland, and the closing date has been extended to (at least) Saturday 1st July.  Pop Recs states that it proudly stands in solidarity with NHS workers.

Two recent reviews:

https://www.culturednortheast.co.uk/2023/06/20/people-not-profit-exhibition-at-pop-recs/

https://www.sunderlandecho.com/whats-on/things-to-do/exhibition-featuring-iconic-images-of-nhs-pandemic-workers-extends-run-at-sunderlands-pop-recs-4197152

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Tuesday 13th June – Life’s a tightrope walk, You don’t want a hole in your safety net

No Profit in Pain – Gruff Rhys

Click here for the track No Profit in Pain – commissioned by National Theatre Wales five years ago, at the time of the NHS 70th Anniversary. It does, of course, and sadly, remain relevant today.  KONPNE can think of no better anthem for the NHS at the time of its 75th Anniversary…..

“Well I’m NHS born
And NHS bred
And when I die let me be NHS dead
Life’s a tightrope walk,
You don’t want a hole in your safety net”

http://bit.ly/NoProfitInPain

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Friday 9th June 2023 – Coming Soon!!!   “Threads of Survival” exhibition, North Tynesid

Curated by 999 Call for the NHS and hosted by KONP North East, all will be unveiled very soon!!!   Watch this space for more information about this exciting development taking place over July and August 2023….

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Monday 5th June 2023 – Newcastle Debates: The Future of the NHS 

How can we balance increasing costs with delivering a quality service? And what can we do to better support NHS staff?

Hosted by Newcastle University, an evening of debate and discussion about the future of the NHS was promised, with panellists comprising Professor Clare Bambra (Professor of Public Health, Newcastle University), Dr Guy Pilkington (GP and Chair of the Prevention Board for the North East and North Cumbria ICS), Dr Benjamin Ajibade (Assistant Professor, Nursing, Midwifery & Health, Northumbria University) and James Duncan (CNTW NHS Trust). The panel was chaired by Jane Robinson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Engagement and Place, Newcastle University.  

Sadly, reality overshadowed promise and, to me at least, the evening was typified by 75% lack lustre and unremarkable comment. What could have been a springboard to searching and frank questioning and debate was, in fact, very different.  In addition to one or two surprising comments (one panellist outlined his support for the use of the private sector in tackling the waiting list, but without acknowledging any associated compromising issues with this, and another panellist advocated the primary need for the NHS to look to ways of actually saving money, but without acknowledging the savage financial cuts to some services…), there were a number of unsubstantiated  platitudes. One or two panellists made nebulous commitments to the future of “Our NHS” but, given that the NHS is on the back foot, it would have been good to hear what they were actually doing about it (although, in fairness,  it was a debate rather than a hustings or campaign meeting or political rally).

The nitty gritty was clearly pinned down by one panellist in extra time. The elephant (aka NHS privatisation) remained in the lecture hall, unacknowledged, until sanity was preserved by Professor Clare Bambra, who specified her view that, as far as the Government and the future of the NHS is concerned, it is clear that all is on the table (ref: recent trade agreements – readers will remember The Trade Act 2021 which makes provision for the implementation of international trade agreements, in effect opening up the NHS to further large-scale takeovers from international corporations) and that the NHS is at a potential turning point (re significant further privatisation and contracting out). Thank you, Professor Bambra, we agree whole heartedly. We all know that, over the past decade, Government policy has placed the NHS in a precarious and dangerous position, now moreso than ever, and this fact and reality needs to be spelled out and placed centre-stage in all conversations and discussions – and debates.

The Newcastle University video of the debate may be viewed here.

Members of KONPNE were in the audience, two of our questions were received by the panel, these were tackled but lack of time negated full responses from the panel. We repeat these here – for further repeating and placing centre-stage.

“Labour Party policy appears to advocate the use of the independent sector to bring down waiting lists. This involves using NHS-trained doctors and nurses, and has an impact on staffing in the NHS. Your thoughts?”

“I am a member of Keep Our NHS Public North East – campaigning against the privatisation of our NHS, We’ve been present in the North East for the past twelve years. Quite rightly, there has been much talk tonight about the prevention of ill health, people taking their own responsibility for health, an aging population, the care sector, better financial management by services. All of these are important – but, with respect to the panel, we are ignoring the elephant in the room.  Does the panel agree that the issue is mainly politically driven, and reflects political ideals, a corrupt “chumocracy”, and a drive to a two-tier health system, underpinned by health insurance and shareholders creaming off profit. Does the panel agree that what we are seeing is a strategic, planned, long-term, politically-driven, intentional run-down of a publicly-provided and publicly-funded healthcare system to enable a growth in the private sector. THAT is the main issue”.

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Sunday 4th June 2023 – Thank you for your financial support

Many, many thanks to all contributors, past and present, for your financial support.

We have a range of financial outgoings for a number of Campaign items and costs such as leaflets, posters, printing costs, banners, badges, room hire, Zoom, display materials, annual membership of national KONP, and domain / website hire. After 12 years with a handheld megaphone, our big purchase last year was a portable PA system (our voice will be heard even louder), and we have exciting Campaign plans for this summer which will involve some financial outlay.

We are especially grateful at this challenging and stressful time, when we know that many people are struggling financially, and are having to make very hard decisions about weekly budgets and financial outgoings. Many, many thanks for your support and commitment.

In addition to donations from individuals, we are also very grateful to both Unite (Newcastle Hospitals Branch) and Unite Community (Northumberland and Tyne and Wear) who have made recent donations to KONPNE.  This is very much appreciated.

If you feel that you are able to make a financial donation, please click here for more information.  Thank you.

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Thursday 1st June 2023 – KONPNE speaks

A busy Campaign meeting tonight – much to discuss and plan in the run up to NHS @ 75.

CLICK HERE

for notes from the meeting – these are open to all to read.

Details relating to our next meeting (6th July 2023) are here

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Monday 15th May 2023 – Disregard in West Yorkshire

Further to our post below (9th May) regarding the very poor response from NENC Integrated Care Board to a public question, it appears that West Yorkshire ICB have read the same operational manual……  Collaboration and transparency, where are you??…..

Click here to read about the public questions and  (lack of) response in Yorkshire ….

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Tuesday 9th May 2023 – Poor response from new “Integrated Care Board” in North East

“North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System” (NENC ICS) has been responsible for commissioning all health care in the region since July 2022. There are, of course, major difficulties with this organisational system, and these are identified on our webpage here.

The Board of the ICS meets every two months and, on reading the Agenda and papers for 28th March 2023 Board meeting, members of KONPNE were shocked to see the number of services in the region which, following CQC inspections, “require improvement” and, also, the required overall “efficiency” target of £48.4 million – all evidence of underfunding and the Governments strategic run down of NHS provision. Click here for the “Integrated Delivery Report” – scroll to item 8:1 on page 96

>> OUR QUESTION: With regard to this important issue, we submitted the following question to the March 2023 ICS Board meeting:

“Keep Our NHS Public North East (KONPNE) is a group of people who strongly believe that the NHS should remain a public service.

Members of KONPNE are very concerned to read in the North East North Cumbria ICB: Integrated Delivery Report February 2023 (Agenda Item 8.1) that a number of services within the ICS are inadequate, according to the CQC. We are aware that the Board have noted this. 

Please detail, specifically, what the Board’s plans are for addressing this situation, given the requirement for the ICB to meet an overall efficiency target of £48.4 million”

>> THE VERBAL FEEDBACK to our question at the meeting was astonishing in both content and brevity. The person who made the response (we remain unsure who it was, as no surname or role was provided) seemed keen to assure that there was nothing to see here, as follows:

No services were rated as OVER-ALL inadequate; North East Ambulance Service was rated inadequate in part and a support package has been put together to look at elements of that (yes – but our question asked for specific details, which  we need to know about)

There is a need for Enhanced Surveillance of some services (yes….details…?)

KONPNE notes that CQC rated a number of other services as “requires improvement” (this issue wasn’t developed in the response – it would have been a good opportunity to update on the actions regarding these services, instead of closing the question down)

Apparently the requirement to bank £48.4million in efficiency savings (flowery name – we know this as BUDGET CUTS) won’t affect the budgets of the services which require improvement (- so end of subject there, apparently no need to expand on that point….)

And the so-called “efficiency savings” / cuts will be made on “prescribing and CSE packages of care” (information about the effects of this and action plan regarding these services would have been useful). 

Thus, in short, we feel this to be a minimal and superficial reply to an important issue, deserving of a considered and respectful verbal  response. Click here to watch the video of the verbal response (click on the image for 28th March, go to 3:28 on the timer slide at the bottom of the video, and don’t blink), and click here to read the Minutes of the meeting (go to page 23).

>> As for the WRITTEN FEEDBACK to our question…. o dear, o dear….  the following, ….err….exceptionally brief written response was received from the ICB on April 23rd 2023, three weeks after the meeting….. what can we say…..:

“Thank you for your question. 

None of the 11 provider organisations in the ICB are rated as inadequate overall. In North East Ambulance Service’s (NEAS) recent inspection, they were rated as inadequate for Well Led but overall as requires improvement. NEAS are being supported by the ICB to work through the actions identified by the CQC.”

>> KONPNE: Obviously, “North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board” need to do better regarding public involvement. We read on the ICB website that “The ICB is committed to providing clear and accessible public information to build understanding and trust….. The ICB will provide good quality accessible information that meets the needs of all people in our communities”.  There’s some way to go, then.  We will, of course, be writing to the ICB regarding their paucity of response and  seeking more information about these issues.

>> PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT: And while we’re about it – some issues for the Board to develop around the PROCESS of public accessibility to the Board meeting…. that is, if true public involvement is to be welcomed….

1) We need to know who is speaking? Important for all verbal reports, but especially for the response to the public question!  2) The time period between the publication of the Agenda and the cut off date for the receipt of questions to the Board was NIL for both the November 2022 and January 2023 Board meetings and ONE DAY for the March 2023 meeting.  Given that the Board meets every two months, this window for submitting a question is either non-existant or ridiculously small and is an indisputable barrier to involvement  3) We query why a question from the public to the Board must be based on the Boards’ Agenda?  We require an openness and willingness to engage with the patient agenda regarding Board activity   4) Placing questions from the public at the very end of the meeting gives a message of reduced importance and can, furthermore, add another barrier to engagement for people with certain health or attentional difficulties. It is useful to note that questions from the public are at the start of the local full Council meetings.   5) An option to ask the question in person and a right to reply would be welcomed  6) Space is required on the agenda for receipt of petitions. 

We will be contacting the ICB about these issues as a matter of priority.

UPDATE 15.5.23: 

– We have contacted all seven Healthwatch organisations in the NE, so that they are aware of our concerns.

– NENC ICS have been in touch to offer a meeting to discuss our concerns – this is a positive development, we intend to accept this offer and will keep you updated.

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Friday 5th May 2023 – Transport to the Northern March for the NHS

We have been invited by Leeds KONP and Yorkshire Health Campaigns Together to join a Northern March for the NHS on Saturday 1st July 11am at Leeds Town Hall.  A steel pan band will play outside the Town Hall from 11-12 and there will be craft activities for children.  A samba band will lead the march off at 12 to return at 1pm for a rally.
If you would like to attend, please email us (this weekend)  at konpnortheast@gmail.com and we can include you in our travel plans (train or car shares, depending on numbers).  All welcome!
Leeds KONP website: https://leedskeepournhspublic.wordpress.com/

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Thursday 4th May 2023 – Health campaigning over the summer

Good discussions at the monthly KONPNE meeting this evening, and great to see our Campaign plans shaping up for the next few months; the Agenda included an update on NHS privatisation in the North East, campaign work regarding the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System, updates on collaborative work with “We Own It” regarding private contracts, planning for the “Threads of Survival” art installation in the North East in July and August 2023, feedback on our questions to the “Integrated Care Board”, updates on liaison with North East Councillors, info re the North March and Rally for the NHS, and our stall at the Durham Miners Gala, updates on national events and petitions, and much more….  

CLICK HERE

to read the notes from the meeting (these are open, and available for all to read)

Our next meeting will take place on Thursday 1st June at 7pm via Zoom – Please add the date to your diary – ALL WELCOME.  Zoom joining details and more info is here

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Saturday 29th April 2023 – Tyne and Wear May Day March and Rally

Solidarity from all at KONPNE.  May Day reminds us of the importance of collective action – crucial in the past and crucial in 2023 when people are struggling day to day as a result of the cost of living crisis and at a time of savage public sector cuts and pay injustice.

We stand in solidarity with all staff working in the NHS who are striking for fair pay, safe staffing levels and for the future of our NHS.

Angela Robinson, retired nurse, addressed the rally in Newcastle city centre on behalf of KONPNE – many thanks to the May Day Committee for inviting us to speak and for organising.

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Sunday 23rd April 2023 – Privatised eye surgery?

Following discussion at this months KONPNE meeting, it was agreed that we find out more about pathways into eye surgery – there appears to be a recent growth in private organisations taking referals (and making money) from eye surgery.

A “Freedom of Information” request has been sent off today – we will keep you updated:

Dear Sir/Madam

We have recently been discussing the role of large private companies in the provision of cataract surgery for NHS patients.  It has come to our attention that opticians can make referrals for surgery, often bypassing local NHS Ophthalmology Departments and seemingly using different criteria for referral.

Would you please address the following questions as a Freedom of Information request?

– What criteria are there for NHS patients qualifying for cataract surgery?  

– Are all relevant professionals required to work to the same cataract surgery qualifying criteria?

– Do opticians receive a fee for making a referral for cataract surgery?

Thank you for your assistance.      (signed)   Co-ordinator         Keep Our NHS Public North East

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Sunday 23rd April 2023 – Private beds in NHS hospitals

Part of that slippery slope…..and privatisation by the FRONT door.

Whilst, for a long time, private patients have been treated in NHS hospitals, we are concerned by recent reports that NHS Trusts are increasingly promoting expensive private healthcare at their hospitals – effectively offering patients the chance to jump NHS waiting lists. Take Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust, for example. On their private treatment website NorthumbriaHealth, they blatantly outline that “as we move forward we aim to position ourselves in the market more strategically as a provider of private healthcare for those living in Northumberland, North Tyneside and beyond.”    https://www.northumbria-health.co.uk/vision-values/

Earlier this year, Margaret Greenwood MP put forward an Early Day Motion (EDM 805) calling on the government to put an end to NHS facilities being used to provide services to private patients, referencing the provision in the Health and Social Care Act 2012 for NHS Foundation Trust Hospitals to make up to 49% of their money out of treating private patients. We will see how this progresses – but probably not very far, given the current Government.

In the interim, we needed to sample the temperature about this issue locally, and have sent off “Freedom of Information” requests to three prominent North East NHS Trusts – Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust, Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust, and South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Trust. We will keep you updated.

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Our FOI – NB: the three FOIs were slightly different to match with the circumstances of the individual Trusts:

Dear xxx NHS Trust

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST

Signed    xxx    Keep Our NHS Public North East

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More information is on our website page here

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Friday 14th April 2023 – Huge support for North East Doctors strike demo

No doubt about it – today, as always, the City of Newcastle shows a huge support, good wishes, thanks and solidarity to our North East medics. And some puzzling questions – Where IS Steve Barclay? What IS the Government doing to resolve the pay dispute?  Where is the workforce plan?  Why aren’t they at the negotiating table?  And a clear message to our medics – we are proud of you and we stand alongside you. We stand with all NHS staff who are fighting not only for fair pay, but for the safety of us all and for the future of our NHS. We send solidarity from KONPNE to all public sector workers. 

Click here to go to the Workforce page 

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Thursday 6th April 2023 – Campaign discussion and planning

Monthly Campaign meeting this evening (always the first Thursday at 7pm, via Zoom) and a packed agenda and constructive discussions and planning…. 

CLICK HERE

to read the notes from the meeting – these are open for all to read

and please join us at the next KONPNE meeting in May…. Thursday 4th May (this time at 7.30pm as a one-off change to the time, due to it being election day….)  The meeting is open to ALL supporters of the NHS.  Log on details are here.

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Saturday 25th March 2023 – Tynedale Transformed / Hexham Debates

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Wednesday 22nd March 2023 – Question to the Integrated Care Board

“North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System” (NENC ICS) has been responsible for commissioning all health care in the region since July 2022. There are, of course, major difficulties with this organisational system, and these are identified on our webpage here.

The Board of the ICS meets every two months, the next meeting being on Tuesday 28th March 2023 – the Agenda and associated papers are published beforehand and are available on the web (click here). On reading the Agenda and papers for the forthcoming meeting, members of KONPNE were shocked to see the number of services in the region which, following CQC inspections, “require improvement” and, also, the required overall “efficiency” target of £48.4 million – all evidence of underfunding and the Governments strategic run down of NHS provision. 

Members of the public are invited to submit questions to the ICS Board meeting, and the following question was submitted to the Board meeting by KONPNE. We will feedback.

“Keep Our NHS Public North East (KONPNE) is a group of people who strongly believe that the NHS should remain a public service.

Members of KONPNE are very concerned to read in the North East North Cumbria ICB: Integrated Delivery Report February 2023 (Agenda Item 8.1) that a number of services within the ICS are inadequate, according to the CQC. We are aware that the Board have noted this. 

Please detail, specifically, what the Board’s plans are for addressing this situation, given the requirement for the ICB to meet an overall efficiency target of £48.4 million.”

Thank you

(signed)

Co-ordinator, Keep Our NHS Public North East

No cuts or cash-driven closures  |  Fair pay for all NHS staff  |  A fully-funded, universal, publicly owned and publicly provided National Health Service 

www.konpnortheast.com    facebook.com/NHSPublicNorthEast  twitter.com/KONPNorthEast  konpnortheast@gmail.com

Email sent to NENC ICS Corporate Services 22nd March 2023

CLICK HERE

for the “Integrated Delivery Report”, described above – scroll to item 8:1 on page 96

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Tuesday 21st March 2023 – Allelujah

Introducing “Allelujah”,  the newly-released Alan Bennett film about healthcare for older people and  the future of a NHS hospital, starring Jennifer Saunders, Judi Dench and Russell Tovey – 24 screenings at Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and also shown at other venues throughout the North East throughout March and April

….. plus tonights post-screening panel discussion with Jude Letham (KONPNE Co-ordinator) and North East health specialists Prof Claire Nally, Prof Louise Robinson and Dr Ellie Bond provided an insightful end to the evening. The panel discussion focused around death, aging, care of elderly people and NHS cuts and closures. Many thanks to Tyneside Cinema, Andy Jones of the Dead Good Film Club, and all panellists for an intriguing film (with a twist….. we won’t do a spoiler!) and a thoughtful discussion. It was good to be involved.

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Saturday 11th March 2023 – SOS NHS National Rally, London

SOS NHS DEMONSTRATION – END THE NHS CRISIS – SUPPORT THE STRIKES
On Saturday 11 March thousands marched through the streets of London to show their support for the NHS and striking workers.

Great delegation from our friends at Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign – wonderful that you were able to represent the North East. 

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Thursday 2nd March 2023 – KONPNE speaks

Much discussed and planned at tonights Campaign meeting

CLICK HERE

for notes from the meeting – these are open for all to read

But we need more assistance – and if we had more people involved we could do even more….

CLICK HERE

for over twenty actions you could get involved in, for details of our next Campaign meeting (6th April 2023 at 7pm) and for a video of our 2022 Campaign.

Don’t be shy!!

CLICK HERE

for information about our next meeting 

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Saturday 25th February 2023 – NHS Privatisation Kills

Members of KONPNE remember the 557 people who have died because of NHS privatisation, Parliament Square, 25th February 2023

We Own It organised todays action to highlight the disastrous effects of privatisation on our NHS. The action was inspired by a recent University of Oxford study which estimated that outsourcing (the provision of NHS services by private providers) led to 557 avoidable deaths between 2014 and 2020.  557 campaigners assembled on Parliament Square, each representing an avoidable death. Every demonstrator held a single white rose. After speeches from UNISON’s Vice-President Amerit Rait and the study’s author, Ben Goodair, we marched to the Department of Health and Social Care to hand deliver 557 letters to the Health Secretary, Steve Barclay, warning the Health Secretary of the dangers of privatisation.

CLICK HERE

to read the We Own It report on the Feb 2023 action in Parliament Square

CLICK HERE

for the We Own It video of the day

and

CLICK HERE

to read the research (Goodair and Reeves, 2022) which links preventable deaths with outsourcing (scroll to the “We Own It” section)

We were told that outsourcing was ‘the most efficient way to provide services’ and, for over a decade, the ideology of privatisation has been gaining a strong foothold in our NHS. But many people always knew that this wasn’t true, and now they’ve been proven absolutely right.  NHS leaders now have to face the facts: privatisation fails our health. Please add your name to the petition and demand that local health leaders in the North East and North Cumbria commit to end outsourcing in our NHS now…..and then share it with family and friends 

CLICK HERE

to sign the “We Own It” petition

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Saturday 18th February 2023 – One Clear Message

Defend the Right to Strike: Newcastle march and rally

Called by Newcastle upon Tyne TUC and Peoples Assembly North East – an impressive range of speakers…..and one clear message

Liz Blackshaw, TUC Northern Regional Secretary: “Defending the right to strike is critical. This Government is not listening – we need a Government that makes sure working people are not sacked for asserting their rights”

Mark Hugall, CWU Newcastle Amalgamated Branch Secretary: “Today we stand together to make a better future for everyone”

Jamie Driscoll, North of Tyne Mayor: “Nurses are taking action for the first time in one hundred years…..they say the public doesn’t support the strikes – but it is the public who are on strike….”

Sarah Dodsworth, Regional Director, RCN Northern, Yorkshire and Humber: “We need to defend the right to strike – we need to make things better for our children and our childrens children”

Miles Elliott, Unison, Ambulance Workers: “Going on strike is a difficult decision as there is an acute staffing crisis and the staff who remain are under more pressure – but the Government response is dereliction of duty”

Simon Elliott, PCS Regional Secretary: “There is a crisis in the civil service. In a survey of members, 40,000 members are using food banks”

Adam Hansen, UCU Northumbria Branch Chair: “Thousands of staff are on zero hour contracts, and many staff work extra hours. Enough is enough……it is important to stand up for our rights, including the right to strike. Stand up, stand proud, stand together”

Alex Snowdon, NEU Regional Chair:  “Together we are stronger – when we co-ordinate our actions we are a powerful force” 

Jan Shortt, General Secretary, NPC:  “We offer our solidarity and support for as long as you need it”

Karen Lockney, North East Peoples Assembly:  “We need to fight inequality and hate – the Government are running scared of working people and we will not be silenced. Our ancestors won these rights and they cannot be taken away now”

Jude Letham, Co-ordinator, Keep Our NHS Public North East:  “We stand with all NHS staff who are fighting not only for fair pay, but for the safety of us all and for the future of our NHS. It is clear that if you want a NHS, you will need to become a NHS activist. We send solidarity from KONP North East to all public sector workers, and we’ll see you on a picket line soon”

Martin Levy, Tyne and Wear Association of Trades Councils:  “One very clear message is given today – we continue to join together to defend our right to strike”

CLICK HERE

to go to our Workforce page for info about local NHS strikes and resources

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Friday 17th February 2023 – Your help is needed

Please help us to develop our Campaign activity further over the coming months.

All of our supporters give freely of their time and expertise; no-one is paid. Expenses such as transport costs and parking charges are also paid willingly by the person concerned, and all this will continue.

We do, however, have a range of financial outgoings for a number of Campaign items and costs such as leaflets, posters, printing costs, banners, badges, room hire, Zoom, display materials, copies of the Health Campaigns Together newspaper (distributed free), annual membership of national KONP, and domain / website hire. After 12 years with a handheld megaphone, our big purchase in 2022 was a portable PA system (our voice will be heard even louder), and we have exciting Campaign plans for 2023 which will involve some financial outlay.

Click here to see our activity over the past year 2022!

And we could do more!!

If you are in a position to help financially with either a one-off donation or a monthly standing order, then this would be a HUGE help. All contributions are very gratefully received, however small. 

Please  CLICK HERE

to go to our DONATE page

All help is greatly appreciated, and every penny is used wisely in our campaign to Keep Our NHS Public.

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Saturday 11th February 2023 – More than an AGM

Good to be at the national KONP AGM today – a mammoth 5 hr session, but the time flew by…. the pace was good, full involvement of members and some very interesting speakers. Events like this enable a sharing of experiences,  help to set a sense of direction and provide a space to meet up with the wider Health Campaign community – thus much more than a dry business-orientated AGM….

The event was attended by reps from many Campaign groups from all over the country – and we were pleased that KONPNE were invited to do a 2 – 3 minute resume of our campaigning activity. This was presented by John Whalley

CLICK HERE

to read this brief presentation.

We will post links to the AGM minutes, when these become available 

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Monday 6th February 2023 – Picket line of strength at Newcastle RVI

A picket line of strength…..and absolutely no doubt that the public are also standing strong and supporting striking nurses at the RVI this morning.  Cars, buses, taxi horns a plenty, and many thanks for the sustenance provided by passers by (it was calm, sunny….but damn chilly) and especially to the very kind member of public who parked opposite, set up a trestle table, and invited all to come over for a hot tea / coffee / cuppa soup throughout the day – his one comment: “Nurses were there when I needed you – this is the very least I can do…..” 

John Whalley (KONPNE) and Rehana Azam (RCN National Officer) at the RVI Newcastle upon Tyne

Members of KONPNE were proud to stand with the RCN and we remember: NHS staff are striking for fairness regarding pay, our health, and the future of #OURNHS

Also great to meet up with long-time KONPNE supporter and fellow activist Rehana Azam, now a national officer with RCN. Rehana: “All of our members here today don’t want to be on a picket line. They are brilliant at their jobs and want to be back on the wards….but we need the Government to listen to what our members are saying. It is not safe on the wards. We need is the Government to invest in the NHS and in the nursing profession.”

We remember Rehana from the Darlo Mums organisation of the 999 Peoples March for the NHS – walking from Jarrow to Parliament in 2014… with music from Billy Bragg in London….

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Thursday 2nd February 2023 – An active year ahead

Much discussed and planned at tonights Campaign meeting – and we still finished on time!  Excellent chairing from Jude!  Its looking like an active year ahead….

CLICK HERE

for notes from the meeting – these are open for all to read

But we need more assistance – and if we had more people involved we could do even more….

CLICK HERE

for twenty actions you could get involved in, for details of our next Campaign meeting (2nd March at 7pm) and for a video of our 2022 Campaign.

Don’t be shy!!

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Wednesday 1st February 2023 – Protect the Right to Strike: TUC March and Rally, Newcastle upon Tyne

If you want a NHS, then you need to support the NHS Strike actions….and protect the right to strike.

Amazing scenes at Grey’s Monument today as thousands of people gathered in support of the right to strike – a HUGE march and rally – one of the biggest in Newcastle for a long, long time. Important to march together to show our teachers, firefighters, civil servants, rail workers, NHS workers and countless others that we support their action to defend pay, jobs and services. A clear message was sent to the government that we will not be ignored. 

KONPNE were proud to be there and we remember: NHS staff are striking for fairness regarding pay, our health, and the future of #OURNHS

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28th January 2023 – National Day of Action: The NHS Crisis is a Crisis of Government – Grey’s Monument, Newcastle-upon-Tyne 

The Tory Government are quick to blame everyone and everything but themselves for the current crisis they have created in our NHS. Health Secretary, Steve Barclay told already exhausted NHS staff to work even harder if they want a pay rise. We believe it is Steve Barclay and the Conservative Government who should be working harder to fix the current NHS crisis that is now costing lives at an unprecedented rate.  The NHS Crisis is a Crisis of Government,

A great turn out today at the SOS NHS event at the Monument in Newcastle upon Tyne – much assistance from members of KONP North East, Unite Community and North East Peoples Assembly – all demanding an end to the crisis and showing support for striking NHS staff…. and much support from people in the town centre!!  Many sign ups on the information stall, hundreds of leaflets distributed and many conversations. 

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15th January 2023 – John Kennedy

It is with huge sadness that we inform you that our friend and colleague John Kennedy died on 11th January 2023.

John served as a valued member of the KONPNE Steering Group and health campaigner for a number of years and, to the end, he was pushing for a better health and social care system and for better pay and terms and conditions for workers within it.  In his final weeks, John’s hospice room was a hub for debates with nursing staff, visitors, and volunteers on the importance of keeping the NHS public, the importance of strikes and the need for Unions.

At KONPNE, we remember John’s indomitable spirit, his energy and his wry sense of humour and he is hugely missed. Our sincere and deepest condolences and thoughts are with Ann and his family at this time.

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5th January 2023 – …..And into the New Year

A very constructive meeting this evening – planning the Campaign for the New Year and beyond, with a range of national, regional and individual actions.  If YOU care about the future of our NHS, there is an action for you to get involved in…

CLICK HERE

for notes from tonights planning meeting – these are open notes, and available for all to read

CLICK HERE

for details of current actions. This link also provides details of our next meeting via Zoom on Thursday 2nd February 2023 – ALL WELCOME

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