JOIN THE CAMPAIGN: Keep Our NHS Public North East comprises, mostly, members of the general public, together with some local doctors, nurses and other health professionals who believe in a publicly funded and publicly provided NHS.
We meet monthly via Zoom, engage in face-to-face community-based actions across the region, and also do much individual campaigning from our homes via the internet (emailing and liaising with your councillors, MP and NHS). Scroll down this page for information about what you can do NOW – current campaigns, individual actions, ways of linking with political parties and Unions, petitions, key contacts to write to….. ranging from 2 minutes (to sign and then share a petition) to a half or full day (at one of our actions). Collectively, our actions make a difference.
Information relating to numerous current local and national campaigns and actions is linked below: Your involvement is very much welcomed
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Season’s Greetings
& Best Wishes for 2026
Many, many thanks
HUGE THANKS to all NHS staff who are doing their best to keep the health service going – despite working in very challenging conditions, having to stand up for a fair wage and having to cope with far fewer staff than is needed on shift. We see what you do, day in and day out, and we couldn’t be more grateful
and
THANKS ALSO to all of our KONPNE supporters and activists in the North East for all of your hard work and commitment throughout 2025 – its been a busy one. Privatisation and NHS funding cuts have intensified. Although difficult to measure or quantify, our voices are being heard and, collectively, our actions make a difference. We are grateful to one and all. It has been, very much, a team effort.
We anticipate another very active time throughout 2026 and we welcome all to join in with the Campaign – our actions will continue apace until there is a return to a comprehensive, publicly funded and publicly provided NHS. Information about how to join in is provided in the posts below.
CLICK HERE
for a review of KONPNE action throughout 2025
IT IS OUR NHS – and we need YOUR support throughout 2026 to further increase our level of activity.
We can do more with YOUR involvement! Please see posts below for details about the next Campaign meeting (always the first Thursday of the month at 7pm via Zoom) and more.
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“KEEP OUR NHS PUBLIC NORTH EAST” Monthly Campaign Meeting
Thursday 5th February 2026, 7pm via ZOOM
BE ACTIVE LOCALLY IN THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST NHS PRIVATISATION – Join us at the next “KEEP OUR NHS PUBLIC NORTH EAST” Campaign meeting via Zoom. We look forward to meeting you.
Please contact us at konpnortheast@gmail.com for the Zoom link.
ALL ARE WELCOME.
If you have never attended before, you will find that the meetings are open, and you are welcome to voice your thoughts and ideas, or sit back and listen – whatever suits you best.
Meetings are always held on the first Thursday at 7 via Zoom. Meeting dates for the rest of this year are as follows – please add these to your diary:
5th February 2026
5th March 2026
2nd April 2026
7th May 2026
4th June 2026
Always the first Thursday at 7pm via Zoom
The Campaign continues as strong as ever in the North East; the Agenda for our next meeting includes updates from across the NE region, update on NHS privatisation in the North East, campaign work regarding the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System incl questions to the Board, updates on collaborative work with “We Own It”, feedback from national KONP, updates on national events and petitions and much more…. We will continue to fight and stand up for our NHS until it returns to be publicly accountable and publicly provided.
CLICK HERE
to read the notes from previous KONPNE meetings – scroll to the first Thursday of each month
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Mental Health services in the North East
Thursday 5th February 2025 at 7pm
We are pleased to confirm that Paul Atkinson from Mental Health Action will be addressing our next KONPNE meeting.
MHA write: We are concerned that NHS Talking Therapies is a failing service, shielded behind a propaganda campaign of innovation, effectiveness and success. In fact, it is inefficient, ineffective and has consistently failed to meet the three main targets required of it by government. There is a growing crisis of mental ill-health in the UK, with ever-more people suffering common mental health distress. At the same time, the NHS 10 Year Plan includes promises to reorganise community mental health services. For both reasons, we argue it is now time for a critical review of the primary care psychological therapies currently being provided by the NHS in England.
This meeting will be an open meeting and all are welcome – you don’t need to be a regular attender or member of KONP.
It will take place via Zoom on Thursday 5th February 2025 at 7pm – please contact us at konpnortheast@gmail.com for Zoom codes / link
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KONP Statement:
We stand with resident doctors fighting for pay restoration
The dispute with Resident Doctors will only end after meaningful discussions between Wes Streeting and RD representatives. Fixin
KONP petition
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Sexual Health service is back with the NHS
At last – some good news to report. Breaking news today, Friday 9th January 2026, is that the Sexual Health service in Newcastle upon Tyne is back with the NHS.
It appears that A LOT went VERY wrong with the privatised service commissioned over the past two years – disgraceful that a private provider was commissioned in the first place, and tragic to hear of the inadequate health service received by people over the past two years, and also to learn of how the staff were treated.
CLICK HERE
to read the article in todays Chronicle.
This article amply demonstrates the dangers of privatisation. Need we say more….
CLICK HERE
to read about our campaigning re sexual health service over recent months
We are following up on todays news further to find out specific details. A replay in other parts of healthcare must be avoided at all costs. Many thanks to all KONPNE supporters who have campaigned for a NHS-provided Sexual Health service over many months in 2025.
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Two important briefings published
Two important and very helpful briefings out recently:
From Keep Our NHS Public: “Privatisation of the NHS – What it looks like and the impact it has” (September 2025)
https://keepournhspublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/KONP-Briefing-NHS-Privatisation-18-Sept-2025-Web-Email.pdf
From We Own It: “Private Finance in the NHS” (November 2025)
https://weownit.org.uk/site/assets/files/58979/mp_briefing_private_finance_in_the_nhs.pdf
Both are in the public domain – please circulate widely to all
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Campaign on Labour’s Data Bill
The Labour government has introduced draft legislation – the Data (Use and Access) Bill – that is expected to move quickly through Parliament. One of its main intentions is to ‘harness the power of data’ to encourage innovation and economic growth. The Bill includes a number of worrying provisions that aim, for example, to:
> reduce data protections and increase access to our personal health data for the private sector and public authorities;
> redefine ‘scientific research’ to include commercial activities;
> change the meaning of ‘consent’ so that agreeing to the use of your data for one research project means also consenting to future but yet unknown projects;
> expand the lawful basis for the use of solely automated decision making without consent;
> weaken our right to question organisations about the data they may hold about us;
> give significant new powers to a Secretary of State allowing them to introduce or change legislation with little to no Parliamentary scrutiny.
In effect, the Bill is a gift to the private sector at the expense of our rights and privacy.
CLICK HERE
for more information, an MP briefing and a template covering letter for you to send to your MP
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HOSPITAL WARD CLOSURE – Ward 23, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead
It is devastating news that Ward 23 has closed. This ward served the needs of older people with physical health problems / dementia. Not only are we concerned about 1) future provision for the health and wellbeing of the client group – people with physical health problems and dementia – but we are also concerned about 2) the knock-on effect to other parts of the service and carers and 3) the decision-making process carried out by Gateshead Health NHS Trust.
CLICK HERE
for info about the Campaign, our communications with the Trust, councillors and MPs
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Find out more about “Integrated Care Systems” and contact the Chair of “North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System”
Our NHS was reorganised on 1st July 2022. This followed the passing of the Health and Care Act 2022 (click here for more info) and, subsequently, England was geographically divided into 42 health units called “Integrated Care Systems” (ICS). In our region, “North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System” is now responsible for commissioning all health care in the North East and North Cumbria.
We need to make it clear to the Board that the residents of the North East and North Cumbria are against any further privatisation of NHS services within the new “North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System”.
CLICK HERE
to go to our “Integrated Care System” page, for more info and to write to the Board regarding your concerns.
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National News
CLICK HERE
for the national KONP website – providing information and news from all over the country
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More about KONPNE
Click News for information about current issues
click 2025 for an overview last year
and click 2022 – 2024 for an overview of activity over the three previous years
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FOLLOW DECISION-MAKING IN THE NORTH EAST – 2026
KONPNE are keen for people to follow decision-making at local Council (“Health and Wellbeing” and the “Health Scrutiny”) meetings and ICB meetings – either by tracking minutes online or by attending (via Zoom) as an observer.
It is crucial that we are aware of discussions at these meetings so that we are able to keep up-to-date with Council and ICB decision-making.
Please click our page here if you are interested in finding out more….
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KEEP IN TOUCH WITH KONP NORTH EAST…and tell your family, friends and contacts
We hold monthly meetings via zoom – always the first Thursday at 7pm. Details of all scheduled zoom meetings are posted above and in our social media – it would be good to see you and hear from you!! Please click on our home page here to find out more about us.
We circulate a regular Campaign briefing by email – If you would like to add your email address to the circulation list, then please click here and….job done.
Also, we host busy and lively facebook and twitter platforms…please help the Campaign by liking, following, commenting, sharing, tweeting, retweeting….Our social media is updated daily and works well….so long as it is shared….. find us at facebook.com/NHSPublicNorthEast and twitter.com/KONPNorthEast
We warmly welcome new members and encourage all to be involved and in and to support the future of a publicly-funded and publicly-provided NHS. People can help in many different ways – involvement in specific Campaigns, practical assistance in organising Campaign work, liaison with other organisations, keeping an eye on Council and CCG minutes, assisting with our social media, etc etc etc – please let us know if you have time to assist and be assured of a warm welcome. There is a role for you!!
And finally, wherever you are in the North East, and whatever you are doing, please let us know and keep in touch at konpnortheast@gmail.com
We offer our gratitude and MASSIVE respect to all health workers.
Take lots of care and keep in touch – all at KONPNE xx
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ACCESS INFORMATION
> Look through our KONP North East website. Click on the menu header on each page, OR click here to go to the site map, OR click on the following links for updates and information regarding….
♦ Latest news and developments
♦ Our mailing list
♦ NHS privatisation
♦ Privatisation in Primary Care – Livi
♦ NHS cuts
♦ NHS waiting lists
♦ Social Care
♦ Questions to NE Councils re NHS privatisation
♦ Covid 19 and NHS privatisation
♦ Peoples Covid Inquiry
♦ Integrated Care Systems
♦ The Health and Care Bill 2021
♦ The Police and Crime Bill 2021
♦ NHS and migration – fight racism and defend migrants
♦ NHS Data Grab
♦ Resources – recent reports, books, films, video
♦ Links to people and organisations
♦ KONPNE Campaign News Archive
♦ KONPNE Blog – an opportunity to air your views and experiences – all contributions are welcome!!
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WATCH INCISIVE FILMS
Click here for links to documentaries about the NHS: The Great NHS Heist (Drew McFadyen and Bob Gill, 2019), Sell Off (Peter Bach, 2014) and Sicko (Michael Moore, 2007) – all are timely reminders about why we do not want an American healthcare system.
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AND FINALLY…
……to everyone in the North East, this is your invitation to join the KONPNE team. There is much that can be done over throughout the year – but only with your help. Please don’t leave it up to the next door neighbour or friend in the gym / pub / work / social group to join in ….they may be thinking the same about you…..
We provide information about meetings and upcoming events through our Campaign email – circulated approx once per month. Please click here. We keep a record of your name and email address only – this remains confidential and secure, and we never share this information with anyone else. You are able to unsubscribe from the list at any time. “Keep Our NHS Public North East” takes consent and confidentiality very seriously and these arrangements are to comply with data protection regulations.
“Almost every day I’m asked “but what can I do?” The answer is the same as it has always been. Combine with other people. Mobilise. Build the movement until it becomes big enough to reach a social tipping point. The key to resistance is persistence”. George Monbiot, 8th April 2022
konpnortheast.com 