Out and about in Northumberland….and reaching out to the local MP Ian Levy

Important discussions with people from both Blyth and Cramlington

A change of location from our usual rally or campaign actions at Grey’s Monument! As part of the KONP National Day of Action last week, members of KONPNE were out and about in Northumberland,  spending time talking with people from both Blyth and Cramlington, inviting messages on postcards to the local MP, and providing info about the new Peoples NHS campaign….much activity, interest and much support – THANK YOU!!   We agree that we urgently need to END private involvement in our healthcare and ENSURE that the NHS returns to being universally accessible, publicly delivered and accountable. Thank you, Blyth and Cramlington for your warm welcome.

We have now collated the responses from Blyth and Cramlington residents into one document and have forwarded this document, together with the original written responses, to Tory MP Ian Levy. These written responses from Blyth and Cramlington constituents reflect years of underfunding from central Government, with the subsequent cuts and closures of services. Constituents identified issues around primary care, dentistry, hospital waiting lists, staffing levels, underfunding and privatisation. We will see what Ian Levy makes of this valuable feedback from constituents about their concerns regarding health provision under this Government….and these constituents deserve a comprehensive response from him.  

CLICK HERE

to read the document which collates the responses from constituents 

Levy, a newcomer to Parliament at the last General Election, does not have an auspicious record in his dealings regarding the NHS. He first voted in favour of passing the Trade Bill which was subsequently enacted in January 2021 – this Bill exposes the NHS to many dangers including the risk of large-scale take-overs by US private companies, reduced access to medication (US politicians made it clear that they want to ”pressure” the UK through trade negotiations to “pay more” for drugs), and the harvesting of our UK patient data by US firms (many US corporations are keen to develop global business models for new markets).

A year later, Levy hit the NHS a second time by voting in favour of the Health and Care Bill which was subsequently enacted in April 2022. Despite strong opposition from health clinicians, organisations and campaigners across the country, this Bill operationalised “Integrated Care Systems” – KONPNE has consistently highlighted a number of major concerns regarding this change to NHS provision, including reduced local democracy; increased central control; a shift of focus for the NHS from the provision of universal, comprehensive care towards ‘demand’ management; the increased presence and influence of private companies; and the fragmentation of services. This, all wrapped up in what the Government calls an “integrated care system”, sounds cosy – but in reality, it means cuts and closures of NHS services.

So, in this lead up to the General Election, we call upon Ian Levy to do much better and, now, to STAND UP for the NHS.  We have provided information relating to the Peoples NHS campaign to Ian Levy, and we will be back in both Blyth and Cramlington in the near future. 

CLICK HERE

for info about the Peoples NHS campaign