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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“KEEP OUR NHS PUBLIC NORTH EAST” Monthly Campaign Meeting
Thursday 7th May 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:
7th May 2026
4th June 2026
2nd July 2026
6th August 2026
3rd September 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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***URGENT*** Please sign these two petitions – Palantir Out of OUR NHS
URGENT: Please sign these two petitions to our MPs – We need to get Palantir Out of OUR NHS. This follows news in the Financial Times that “UK ministers have sought advice on triggering a break clause in Palantir’s contract as they come under mounting pressure to eject the controversial American company from NHS England data systems.“
CLICK HERE for the Foxglove petition: https://www.foxglove.org.uk/campaigns/wes-streeting-trigger-the-break-clause-and-get-palantir-out-of-the-nhs/
CLICK HERE for the 38 Degrees petition: https://act.38degrees.org.uk/act/trigger-the-Palantir-break-clause-eoi
…..and please circulate these petitions far and wide
Please assist with distribution
Alongside many other community groups and organisations, KONPNE remain extremely concerned about the proposals of Reform UK regarding the future of our NHS. Based on a leaflet from North London campaign groups, KONPNE have developed this information leaflet for use in the NE – please circulate widely.
Posts are also on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NHSPublicNorthEast/posts/pfbid0JDAddXgyyetr1hUitS3poutsGKV2PVywSugrKkJJTdJdR8ucaKC1xgifiWUyAkqMl
and X: https://twitter.com/KONPNorthEast/status/2044293636636975366
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Disastrous PFI plans
It is both astounding and very worrying that the Labour Government are even thinking about reintroducing PFIs to healthcare, given the fact that many NHS Trusts are still paying off their borrowing from 30 years ago. At a recent meeting in Parliament, Richard Burgon MP (Leeds East) clarified that, with regards to the PFI of the past, the NHS received £13billion of assets in return for £80billion of PFI debt… Private finance is, and will always be, a rip off.
It is positive to note that 8 MPs from the North East (48 MPs in total) share our very significant concerns by signing the Parliamentary EDM 2317, in which they “note with grave concern proposals to reintroduce the use of private capital for building NHS Neighbourhood Health Centres“. Good for them. It is crucial that our MPs stand up and be counted.
To follow up on this, in February 2026, a KONPNE supporter / constituent reached out via email to his/her own MP (there are 19 MPs in the North East – all have been contacted) to inform of our views, and to ask for their support in combatting the disastrous PFI plans.
CLICK HERE
and scroll down to 9th February 2026 for more information.
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 John Listers article in The Lowdown – an evidence-based website providing health news, analysis, and campaigning (20th March 2026)
CLICK HERE
to read the article in the Chronicle (8th January 2026)
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
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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Funding pulled by Gateshead Health NHS Trust: Parkinsons Speech and Language Therapy Service stopped
If Gateshead Health NHS Trust does not commit to a dedicated Parkinson’s speech and language therapist based in the hospital, there is a serious risk of people with Parkinson’s dying while they wait for an assessment.
Following the very recent closure of Ward 23 (a ward which provided a service to people experiencing both dementia and physical health problems), cutting the Parkinsons service is yet another disgraceful decision by Gateshead Health NHS Trust.
CLICK HERE
to read the recent article in the Chronicle: National charity slams North East hospital over speech therapist role for Parkinson’s patients that ‘supported hundreds’
The decision must be reversed.
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Two important briefings published – please forward these to your MP
Your MP email address can be found here: https://members.parliament.uk/members/commons
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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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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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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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
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
and click 2022 – 2024 for an overview of activity over the three previous years
Click News for information about current issues
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 post above 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 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 