SCROLL DOWN THIS PAGE for Campaign News – photos, videos, updates, media articles – from January 2025 to NOW

For the KONPNE Campaign News Archive since 2010, click HERE

For a brief overview of 2025 click HERE

For a brief overview of 2022, 2023, 2024, click  HERE

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Friday 9th January 2026 – Sexual Health service is back with the NHS

Breaking news today 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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Friday 9th January 2026 – Mental Health services in the North East

We are pleased to confirm that Paul Atkinson from Mental Health Action will be addressing our next KONPNE meeting on Thursday 5th February.

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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Wednesday 7th January 2026 – John Lister on the NHS Crisis

A good way to start the New Year is a recap on where we are at in Campaigning – click the youtube link below for an excellent presentation from John Lister, made at the November 2025 Yorkshire Health Campaigns Conference

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkbklQsl8CQ

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Thursday 1st January 2026 – Want a publicly funded and publicly provided NHS?

We do – and, judging by the opinion polls, most people also want this as well. 

We wish you a happy and healthy New Year 2026….and, this year, join us in steps to making this a reality. Assist us in Campaigning for a restoration of the founding values of the NHS – publicly funded and publicly provided…..

CLICK HERE

for details about our next meeting

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Wednesday 31st December 2025 – Many, many thanks

Season’s Greetings

& Best Wishes for 2026

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 here. 

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 click here for details about the next Campaign meeting (always the first Thursday of the month at 7pm via Zoom) and more.  

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Monday 22nd December 2025 – Newcastle Unites

When considering migration in a broader context and in the cold light of day, the fact is that 35% of doctors and 27% of nurses and health advisors working in the NHS are from abroad (figures from UK Government). The stark reality is that the NHS would be unable to function if it weren’t for people from other countries.

If you go to A&E today, someone from overseas is more likely to be treating you rather than waiting in the queue, and we are grateful to all.

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Friday 19th December 2025 – Review of the Year from national KONP

CLICK HERE

for an overview of a very busy 2025

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Wednesday 17th December 2025 – Alongside Resident Doctors at the RVI, Newcastle

For fair pay, jobs and for the future of our NHS….

Rather than demonise doctors and feign outrage over staff taking industrial action, this Government should reflect on its own role in the current disastrous state of the NHS – including the Governments responsibility for the thousands of people dying each year after being stuck in the corridors of A&E departments. 

Progress will only be made through investment in our NHS.  Desperately hoping that a solution lies in focusing on prevention, technology and a shift to community care does not alter this reality. 

KONPNE stands with NHS staff.

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Wednesday 10th December 2025 – “HOW TRUSTS ARE BEING MADE TO MAKE CUTS”

See todays article from John lister in The Lowdown -amongst others, this item reports on our huge concerns re the closure of Ward 23

CLICK HERE

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Wednesday 10th December 2025 – Damning CQC report re privatised Sexual Health Services in Newcastle

CQC report published today

CLICK HERE

to see the article in todays Chronicle 

Before privatisation and under the NHS, the Sexual Health Service was once a flagship resource.
Very saddening.
KONPNE have been following up Newcastle City Council re FOIs about this  and only three weeks ago wrote to the Information Commissioner as we were dissatisfied with the lack of transparency shown by the Council.
We need to know how much money has been wasted through this privatisation exercise undertaken by the Council, what the impact has been on clients, and how many expert staff have  moved on or been lost to the NHS through this privatisation two years ago.  We will be taking this further.

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Thursday 4th December 2025 – KONPNE meets – meeting notes available for all to read

The monthly Campaign meeting this evening – including an overview of the past year and planning for future action.

CLICK HERE

for the notes of the meeting – these are open and we invite all to read  

Our next meeting will take place on Thursday 8th January 2026 at 7pm via Zoom – All welcome – please click here for details. 

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Thursday 27th November 2025 – Meeting with North East Socialist Health Association

Good to meet up members of NE Socialist Health Association this evening at the Irish Centre to begin to consider a joint Campaigning event, possibly also in collaboration with Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign and Unite Community.

We discussed ideas around a public meeting – perhaps in the spring of 2026 – maybe a focus on the Ten Year Plan, outsourcing and / or Public Private Partnerships??

Watch this space!!

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Monday 24th November 2025 – Formal question to the Integrated Care Board 

NENC ICB meets every two months and is responsible for the commissioning of services in the North East and North Cumbria. We put this formal question to the Board meeting tomorrow, in the wake of the appalling decision of Gateshead Health NHS Trust to shut down a ward earlier this year (scroll down to September to find out more about this ward closure, or click here for the webpage). We will report on the response from the Board.

Dear ICB,

Question from Keep Our NHS Public North East for ICB meeting Tuesday 25th November 2025.

The National Strategic Commissioning Framework, which is designed to support all ICBs, states:

• ICBs will develop a clear, evidenced-based methodology for determining priorities and the commissioning and decommissioning of services to meet these priorities. 

• ICBs will be transparent in making decisions and sharing the evidence on which they are based. They will use high quality data, analysis and dialogue and a sound understanding of what or who is driving cost in a system and of any variations in productivity between providers. 

Keep Our NHS Public North East ask if North East and North Cumbria ICB will ensure that these same principles are applied to the closure of wards and services across providers?

Gateshead Health NHS Trust recently made the decision to close Ward 23 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital without public consultation and without discussion with Gateshead Care, Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee. 

How will North East and North Cumbria ICB ensure transparency in ‘decommissioning’ decisions so that patients, staff and the general public in the North East understand which services will stop and what the consequences of the cuts will be?

Copies of this email have been forwarded to Councillor Lynne Castrey (Chair, Gateshead Health and Wellbeing Board), Councillor Stuart Green (Chair, Gateshead Care, Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee) and Jennifer Boyle (Company Secretary, Gateshead Health NHS Trust).

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Sunday 23rd November 2025 – David Smith MP (North Northumberland)

Dear David

The Guardian article is here: 

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/nov/21/labour-mps-urge-reeves-to-drop-private-finance-plans-for-nhs-buildings-pfi

Information from We Own It is here:

https://weownit.org.uk/news/tell-wes-streeting-no-new-pfi/

We also spoke about the notion of “spare capacity” in the private healthcare system. As discussed, the Government has recently provided a press release stating that independent providers have provided 6 million appointments, tests and operations to NHS patients this year, which will “help to cut waiting times and free up NHS capacity”.  However, there is more to this than meets the eye. There are a finite number of doctors and nurses in the UK – there is no spare capacity – and we know that if clinicians increase their work in the private sector, then there will be a corresponding decreased availability for work in the NHS.  As we discussed, this erosion of the NHS is backed up by recent research (2025) from Graham Kirkwood and Prof Allyson Pollock, Newcastle University,  who found that as private provision expanded, NHS capacity fell sharply and waiting times increased.  We believe that the money currently being invested in the private sector should, instead, be redirected to consolidate and expand NHS provision. NHS staff have the skills.  Additionally, there is no mention of this private sector involvement as being a short-term emergency development – indeed, the Ten Year Plan suggests the opposite, proposing the further embedding of the private sector in a number of different ways – on Trust Boards and in education.  

The Kirkwood and Pollock article (Newcastle University, 2025) is here: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/articles/latest/2025/04/privateprovisionlongerwaitfornhshipsknees/

We thank you for your attention

Friday 21st November 2025 – 40 MPs challenge Chancellor regarding PFI 2.0 

Further to our recent meetings with North East MPs (most recently with David Smith MP, North Northumberland – see post, scroll two down) and robust campaigning across England from We Own It and national KONP,  the national media today highlight a step in the right direction – 40 Labour MPs have written to Rachel Reeves to demand that she drops plans for another PFI in our NHS.

CLICK HERE

for the Guardian article

CLICK HERE

for the BBC report

The final decision is on Wednesday 26th November – 

CLICK HERE

to email your MP now

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Thursday 20th November 2025 – NOT TO BLAME

We celebrate the great contribution migrants make to our society and the NHS in particular. It is simply not true that migration harms our NHS and social care. WE NEED TO FIGHT THE RACIST SCAPEGOATING OF MIGRANTS.  Powerful statements this evening from a broad panel of speakers at an open meeting hosted by KONP national office.

Members of KONPNE joined via Zoom; we hope that a recording will be available for all to watch. In the interim, please click here to read the leaflet produced by KONP – and order some to distribute….

“Yes – the NHS and social care are in crisis. And it is Government policy that is responsible, not migrants”

“The NHS is not over-run my migrants – it is run by migrants”

“We are not your enemies – we are your work colleagues, your neighbours and your friends”

“When you walk into a hospital, you’re far more likely to be treated by a migrant person than see one in the waiting room” 

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Thursday 20th November 2025 – David Smith MP (North Northumberland)   

Members of KONPNE were pleased to meet up with David Smith MP once again, to continue our conversation of May 2025. We brought two issues to the table.

KONPNE members are increasingly concerned about what can only be described as PFI 2.0. Given the disastrous consequences of the Private Finance Initiative of the 1990s – NHS Trusts in England will have paid back on average almost eight times the initial PFI capital put into their Trusts – it is not unreasonable to have huge concerns about the proposal in the Ten Year Plan that a business case is made for “Public – Private Partnerships” (PPP) to fund Neighbourhood Health Centres. History repeating itself? Has this Government really learned the lessons of the past?  David agreed with us that the past PFI deal was (and still is) a disaster but, for the time being, remains uncertain regarding the current notion of a PPP until the exact details of such are known –  apparently, until the details are made public by the Government, all is speculation, the essence of a “PPP” is unknown.  Given that David is a Labour MP under the current Labour Government, we made the assumption that he would be in a position to cast some light on this issue but this was not to be. It appears that this Government works in secretive ways, even in relation to its own MPs – worrying?  We understand that the Chancellor may be providing details regarding PPPs as part of the Budget statement next week, so we (together with David and Labour MPs) shall see…

We move on to our second issue – the nebulous idea that there is some sort of “spare capacity” in the private health system, all ready and waiting to mop up the elective care waiting lists. Last week, the Government announced in a press release that independent providers had carried out 6 million appointments, tests and operations for NHS patients this year, and that this will “help to cut waiting times and free up NHS capacity”. All well and good? Is it?   People who work in the NHS all know that if clinicians increase their work in the private sector, then there will be a corresponding decreased availability for work in the NHS.  There are a finite number of doctors and nurses in the UK – there is NO spare capacity. This is backed up by recent (2025) research from Graham Kirkwood and Prof Allyson Pollock (Newcastle University) who found that as private provision expanded, NHS capacity fell sharply and waiting times increased. We put this to David, who agreed that staff movement across NHS and private health is an issue to consider further – we agreed to forward a link to the Newcastle University research. David stated his belief that, whilst generally against the growth of privatisation in the NHS, he supports the use of the private sector in the short term as a way of reducing the current huge waiting lists – citing his belief that no-one should be in pain.  Absolutely, of course – but one minute. Why couldn’t this money flooding down to the private sector be redirected to bolster and develop NHS provision?  NHS staff have the skills.   And who says that the use of the private sector will be a short term measure?   We see the Governments Ten Year Plan as embedding the private sector more and more, in a number of different ways…

The demands of time brought our conversation to an end.  We hope that David has some food for thought, and we followed up our meeting with this email.  David has welcomed our further contact which, of course, we will be proactive in arranging next year. 

PFI deals still haunt the NHS: https://weownit.org.uk/news/tell-wes-streeting-no-new-pfi/

Graham Kirkwood and Allyson Pollock article (Newcastle University):   https://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/articles/latest/2025/04/privateprovisionlongerwaitfornhshipsknees/

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Friday 14th November 2025 – Solidarity: We stand with resident doctors fighting for pay restoration and job prospects

Chilly day, warm reception and a good turn out supporting Resident Doctors on the picket line outside the RVI, Newcastle upon Tyne.  it is not rocket science. We need to invest in the NHS as an organisation (which includes investing in all NHS staff) and we’ll have a well functioning NHS that serves the population well. 

The dispute with Resident Doctors will only end after meaningful discussions between Wes Streeting and RD  representatives. Fixing pay, addressing morale by improving working conditions and filling staff vacancies require necessary investment and are essential for a more resilient and healthier future service. KONP stands in solidarity with striking RD and all NHS staff and urges Streeting to enter into negotiations with RD in good faith – an important step in rebuilding the NHS.

CLICK HERE

for the full statement from KONP  

RVI, Newcastle upon Tyne, 14th November 2025

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Friday 14th November 2025 – Joe Morris MP (Hexham)  

Dear Joe

We thank you for your attention and look forward to hearing from you

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Thursday 13th November 2025 – Two important briefings published 

Both are in the public domain – please circulate widely to all

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Thursday 6th November 2025 – KONPNE meets

Monthly Campaign meeting (always the first Thursday of the month at 7pm via Zoom).

CLICK HERE

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

Our next meeting is on Thursday 4th December 2025 – always the first Thursday at 7pm.

Please click here for further details  -ALL WELCOME

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Thursday 2nd October 2025 – Very active Campaign meeting  

Much discussed and planned tonight – focussed on the closure of Ward 23 QEH in Gateshead and concerns regarding the privatised Sexual Health service in Newcastle….and also discussed our ongoing contact with MPs in the North East and other campaign work.

CLICK HERE

to read the notes of the meeting – open for all to read.

Our next meeting will take place on Thursday 6th November 2025 at 7pm via Zoom – always the first Thursday of the month at 7.  Please join us – info is on our website here

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Wednesday 1st October 2025 – Campaigning in Gateshead

The sudden shut down was known to some and news to others – but the same response from all. Gateshead residents shopping at Tesco Extra in Trinity Square in Gateshead all voiced feelings of unhappiness and despondency regarding the decision of Gateshead Health NHS Trust to decommission Ward 23 at QEH….and anger at the lack of public consultation. Many knew of family or friends who had received treatment on the ward.

Leafletting also at Gateshead Bus / Metro Interchange and at Gateshead Civic Centre.

CLICK HERE

for our webpage on the closure of Ward 23 QEH

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Saturday 27th September 2025 – Love Newcastle, Hate Racism

 

 

Good to meet up with many KONPNE supporters at the Anti Racism Rally / counter protest in Newcastle this afternoon.  Apparently, Tommy Robinson, prominent far right wing racist was in town for a conference / protest march – but they very soon found that they, the far right,  were not welcome in the North East.  In short, the far right were massively, totally outnumbered. The counter-protest from the people of the North East was IMMENSE. We made it clear that there is no place for racists on the streets of Newcastle.

When immigration is considered in the cold light of day, the reality is that the UK would be unable to function as a society if it weren’t for people from other countries. Every aspect of public life would be significantly damaged were it not for those who have moved from abroad to live and work in the UK. Major cultural, educational, political and civic institutions would cease to function, especially the NHS and care system. We must dispel the myth that immigration harms society, and particularly the NHS. Austerity and cuts are to blame for the NHS crisis, not migrants. 

FACT CHECK: The NHS and social care would collapse without overseas workers. Around 35% of doctors are from abroad and 27% of nurses and health advisors. See this data from The House of Commons Briefing paper, 20th November 2023 – click here

Huge thanks to Newcastle Unites, Stand Up To Racism North East and other groups and individuals for organising todays very successful  counter protest. You did a superb job. Respect from all at KONPNE. 

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Thursday 25th September 2025 – The protest gets support from Gateshead hospital staff and patients – but the Board…..?

Keen KONPNE campaigners saw an early morning (7.15am…..) start at Queen Elizabeth Hospital to catch up with the day / night staff changeovers, and then over to the Trust HQ to catch up with the Board, prior to their Board Meeting at 9.30am.

Lots of leaflets handed out at the hospital gates – to pedestrians and those in cars – and masses of support in return. After the Chronicle coverage about the appalling decision of the Board to shut down Ward 23, which provided a valuable service to those older people experiencing dementia and physical health problems, it seems that the whole of Gateshead are concerned about this loss.  Click here for more information about this.

Campaigners were pleased to speak with Dr Gill Findley, Deputy Chief Exec, Gateshead Health who, it has to be said, came outside Trust HQ before the Board Meeting to talk – but, clearly, no shift as yet in her views on our stance that the ward should not have been closed in the first place, and also our views that there needs to be a proper PUBLIC consultation on the closure of a ward!!  The closure of Ward 23 is a massive change in service provision from, primarily, an in-patient unit to a community-based service – and, in our view, this requires a PUBLIC CONSULTATION.   And losing 24 beds?  Winter bed crisis in Gateshead looms…. 

CLICK HERE

for our webpage on the closure of Ward 23 QEH

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Tuesday 23rd September 2025 – KONPNE speaks at Gateshead Council Health Scrutiny Committee…and we are not alone…

Campaigners Pat F and John spoke at the Gateshead Council Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee this afternoon….and found that we are not the only people concerned about the closure of Ward 24 at QE Hospital Gateshead and the process of closure carried out by Gateshead Health NHS Trust….

Dr Gill Findley (Chief Nurse and Deputy Chief Exec, Gateshead Health NHS Trust) presented information to the Council Committee about current demands on the Trust and highlighted that “Gateshead Health has more beds than most other organisations of our size” and that “hospital care is not always the best thing for patients”. She concluded the presentation with a focus on the closure of Ward 23, confirming that the closure of Ward 23 wasn’t a decision taken in isolation, and that there would be additional community staff, virtual wards, and training in dementia care for in-patient teams. She stated “any patient who needs in-patient care will get in-patient care – I am very confident that this will happen”

In response to the presentation, Councillor Dot Burnett stated that there had been a lack of information from the Trust and, whilst she had some knowledge (in her capacity of Trust Governor) that a ward would be closed, she wasn’t informed which ward, and with no specific information about the process of closure. Likewise, Councillor Lynne Caffrey (Chair of Gateshead Council Health and Wellbeing Board) stated that there had been “a lack of consultation around issues, the people in Gateshead are very concerned”. Cllr Caffrey highlighted that the 20 “High Impact Schemes” referred to in Dr Findleys presentation had not been shared with the Gateshead Health and Wellbeing Board and how there is “a very poor level of communication between Gateshead Health Trust and Gateshead Health and Wellbeing Board at the current moment in time”.  Yvonne Probert (Gateshead Healthwatch) noted how the Health Trust had consulted with staff and partners – but wondered if the Trust had spoken to patients. 

Addressing the meeting, Campaigners provided key information about the KONPNE group, the type of work carried out over the last 15 years, and the current huge concern over the closure of Ward 23 – highlighting concern about future provision for the client group (older people with physical health problems / dementia), concern about the knock-on effect to other parts of the service and carers, and concern about the lack of public consultation (the Trust claims there to be no substantial variation in how services are accessed by the client group, so a public consultation was not required….however… there has been a move from an in-patient based service to one which is, primarily, community based…?!)

So – in short – much dissatisfaction expressed to the Health Trust. The Chair requested information about the impact of the closure of Ward 23, and this was agreed by Dr Findley, who spoke of “lessons learnt and the need for the Health Trust to be clearer about changes”. In terms of reopening the ward and the need for PUBLIC consultations in the future, as required by KONPNE – no shift.  We continue with the Campaign. 

Liaison / consultation / engagement / collaboration with the public???

CLICK HERE

for our webpage on the closure of Ward 23 QEH

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Sunday 21st September 2025 – HUGE thanks to all  

Before – team talk and stretches sorted! Now the hard work.

All done and dusted, all finished in one piece and twelve ankles untwisted. Amazingly, the sun was beaming for the North Tyneside 10K road race this morning.

Many thanks for all support – you smashed through the sponsorship target with total donations at £1,215  which, in itself, shows the huge depth of support for our NHS.  Half of the money raised goes to the KONPNE campaign funds, and half to the national KONP campaign. This is very much appreciated and we sincerely thank all supporters – this will help our campaigning over the next year. 

And, of course, HUGE THANKS also to the elite (?) team of six athletes (?) who seemed to just glide along that 10K route…. we catch up with them after the race….

Helen:    “We’re running to raise funds for Keep Our NHS Public. Nye Bevan said that the NHS will exist only as long as people fight for it – and fight for it we must”

Lucy:     “OUR NHS =  healthcare for all, from cradle to grave. We must not allow this AMAZING organisation to slip between our fingers. Once its gone, its gone. Keep our NHS public  now and for future generations”

Rob:     “I’m here today because it is NO WAY acceptable to see patients being treated in hospital corridors. We need to fight for more investment in the NHS”

Adam:    “The NHS is sick – and I don’t want to see it die”

Lucy:     “It’s easy to take for granted the sense of security we  get from knowing the NHS is there if we need it. I ran today to say THANKYOU”

John:     “I see the NHS moving towards a privatised system. The next step will be health insurance, a two-tier system,  and increased inequality in health. We all have an opportunity now to return our NHS to the world-class healthcare it was – accessible to all, publicly-provided and publicly-funded”

After…voltarol all round

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Friday 19th September 2025 – Cloaked in Secrecy

The Sexual Health service in Newcastle was privatised two years ago and we are aware that members of the public have been appalled by the steady erosion of provision since that time. 

More recently, members of KONPNE have become increasingly concerned about a recent comment from a Newcastle upon Tyne Council official about the need for improvements to the service – but, surprisingly, the Council  seem reluctant to share the details. Very reluctant. In fact, all is cloaked in secrecy. In their latest response received today, they say

“the information you have requested is exempt information and falls under Section 41 of the Freedom of Information Act – ‘Information provided in Confidence’.   A description of Section 41 is information which is held by a public authority, but which was provided by a third party will be exempt information if disclosure by the public authority to the public would constitute an actionable breach of confidence.”

CLICK HERE

for details of our recent contact with the Council about this matter

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Thursday 18th September 2025 – KONPNE meets with Joe Morris MP (Hexham)

The constituency of Hexham was always considered to be a safe seat for the Tory party having been under their control with safe majorities since 1924, until it was gained by Labour in 2024. Interesting to meet with Joe  Morris MP this afternoon – elected as Labour MP in this, the second-largest constituency by land area in England. Joe is also Parliamentary Private Secretary to Wes Streeting – which adds a further dimension to our meeting.

Angela and John (KONPNE) outlined the work of KONPNE and current concerns, and Joe spoke of some of his values. He spoke of being “immensely privileged” to be voted in as MP and how his focus is on “making improvements to healthcare in constituency work and in national policy making”. When asked about his views on the Ten Year Plan, he spoke of it being “a step in the right direction” and how we now need to look to the future and “move on”….

We asked specifically about the elusive “spare capacity” in the private health system which is, apparently, ready and waiting to reduce the waiting lists in NHS elective care (ie planned medical treatments, not emergencies). Joe spoke about his concerns regarding long waiting lists for treatment and stated his commitment to using “whatever gets a person into a better place – there is a case for using the private sector”. We put forward the notion that there is NO spare capacity in the private system, and that this Labour initiative will contribute to the decline of the NHS by diminishing the range of services and through further eroding the NHS workforce. Joe stated that he is committed to the NHS and that “we need to ensure that people maintain faith in the NHS”…..? This response doesn’t seem to stack up – Labour are pushing resources and investing in the private sector and, in doing so, running down the NHS – we can’t see any “faith in the NHS” there… This capital finance provided to the private sector should be invested in NHS services.   ACTION: Given that the notion of taking up “spare capacity” in the private sector is central to the Governments plans, Joe agreed  to provide information about research data and the modelling carried out on this issue.

We move on to discussion about the dreaded Public – Private Partnerships, as a way of financing new Neighbourhood Health Centres. We, of course, fully agree with Joe on the importance of health promotion initiatives and ensuring access to services closer to home – but PPPs?? Using private finance to build the centres and then (obviously) extracting taxpayers’ money as shareholder profit once they are up and running?  Sounds like PFI 2.0 to us – a concept rejected by Joe. He spoke of “lessons learnt” from the past…we asked for the difference between the new PPP contracts  and the disastrous contracts of PFI, many of which are STILL being paid off…   ACTION: Joe agreed to take a look at this issue with a view to providing information about the differences in contracts – but no guarantees on this feedback, given staff shortages and a huge constituency backlog of work…

We appreciate the opportunity to present the HUGE concerns of our group to Joe about increased NHS privatisation, and positive that Joe offered to meet up again. We focused on NHS privatisation at this meeting, but there is lots more re NHS that we need to talk about.

In parting, we asked Joe to relay two personal messages to Wes Streeting…. 

For Streeting to STOP describing the NHS as being “broken” – this is inaccurate and is wholly disrespectful to the thousands of staff working tirelessly to provide a service to people in need. 

For Streeting to, at least, consider the view that the NHS needs investment, and not so-called “reform”. The founding principles of the NHS – healthcare for all, publicly funded and PUBLICLY PROVIDED – have proved to be effective and are as relevant today as ever. 

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Thursday 18th September 2025 – Excellent briefing paper published by national KONP 

Briefing paper published today “Privatisation of the NHS – What it looks like and the impact it has”.

Highly recommended – please circulate. The link to the paper is here:

Click to access KONP-Briefing-NHS-Privatisation-18-Sept-2025-Web-Email.pdf

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Tuesday 16th September 2025 – Update on closure of Wd 23, QEH, Gateshead  

This is devastating news. 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

to read our communications with the Trust, councillors and MPs, plus Campaign plans

CLICK HERE

for our webpage on the closure of Ward 23 QEH

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Friday 12th September 2025 – KONPNE meeting with Chi Onwurah MP (Newcastle Central and West)

We started the meeting this morning by thanking Chi Onwurah MP for her previous support of KONPNE –  and reminding her of the Labour Party manifesto quote that once in power they would bring about the biggest insourcing of services in the NHS in a generation…. 

Discussions between Maggie and Helen (KONPNE campaigners) and Chi focused on our huge concerns about

-the financing of the proposed Neighbourhood Health Centres through Public Private Partnerships. We are concerned that this is no more than PFI 2.0. Chi said that she could understand that Wes Streeting might want to get ‘buildings built’ and want to use private capital to do that, but felt it would be inappropriate for private companies to be running and employing the neighbourhood health centres.     ACTION: Chi agreed to ask a Parliamentary Question about the use of PPPs to build and operate Neighbourhood Health Centres

-the privatisation of cataract operations. We are concerned that the private sector is creaming off lucrative contracts with profits going to shareholders instead of NHS care and that increasing private sector involvement will undermine NHS services and staffing.  We need clear information on the scale of this problem.  ACTION: Chi agreed that her office would write a PQ to ascertain number of cataract operations being completed in the private v NHS sector

-the privatisation of the Sexual Health Service in Newcastle two years ago and recent concerns about the quality of service provided by the contract holders ACTION: Chi requested sight of our FOIs, and would consider writing to Director of Newcastle / Gateshead Public Health to ascertain the situation

-the safety and confidentiality of patient data. Chi expressed her concerns and spoke of the challenges around big contractual agreements  being held by one provider

All in all, a helpful discussion with action points to be picked up by Chi and her office.  We will also follow up, as necessary. 

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Monday 8th September 2025 – 88% of fundraiser raised….. 

Many, many thanks to all who have donated so far. We realise that times are hard, and we are truly grateful for all donations, large and small.  The running (pun intended) total this morning is £875, with £125 to go before we hit the target of £1000. Half of the money raised will go to KONPNE Campaign funds, and half to the national KONP,  who provide the support to local KONP campaign groups.

Our elite (?) team of six runners are on the starting blocks (almost) for the North Tyneside 10K on Sunday 21st September 2025. Please go to our fundraiser page for more information about the event and how to donate.  With many thanks. 

Click here:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/2f3qq-keep-our-nhs-public-north-east

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Thursday 4th September 2025 – KONPNE campaign meeting

A busy meeting tonight – plans to protest the CLOSURE of Ward 23 at QE, Gateshead and Freedom of Information requests regarding the privatisation of Sexual Health services in Newcastle, and much more.

CLICK HERE

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

Our next campaign meeting is at 7pm on Thursday 2nd October via Zoom – click here for details – we welcome all to join in

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Monday 1st September 2025 – A reply from Gateshead Health NHS Trust re ward closure

We remain very concerned about the closure of the highly-regarded Ward 23 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead – for information, scroll down to the posts on 6th and 17th August 2025.

A Freedom of Information request was made by KONPNE members and, today, we received responses to our three questions from the Trust. 

CLICK HERE

to read the responses from Gateshead Health Trust.

Apparently, there was no public consultation process, as the Trust believes there to be “no substantial variation in how services are accessed by patients”.   Really?  The ward is closing down, the treatment is apparently being picked up by Community staff and, if in-patient treatment is required, then the patient will go to a generic in-patient ward – not one that specialises in dementia / physical health presentations. A HUGE change.  The actions of the Trust are not acceptable.  All to be discussed at the KONPNE campaign meeting on 4th September – click here for details. Watch this space.

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Friday 29th August 2025 – Support from Unite Community

Thanks to Unite Community (Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Branch) for the warm welcome and much support at todays Branch meeting in Newcastle. A member of both KONPNE and Unite Community presented information about both the NHS Ten Year Plan and the closure of Ward 23 QE Hospital in Gateshead, with Unite Community members agreeing to active follow up on both of these important issues. Thanks also for the donation from Unite Community to the KONPNE campaign fund – much appreciated.  This joint working and joint support model is the way forward.

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Tuesday 26th August 2025 – Please donate to the KONPNE fundraiser

Six KONPNE supporters are in training to complete the North Tyneside 10K Road Race on Sunday 21st September 2025. Please consider giving a one-off online donation to this fundraiser. Half of the money raised will go to the “Keep Our NHS Public North East” campaign, and half to the national “Keep Our NHS Public” organisation which provides support to local groups.  

Please see our video here: https://youtu.be/7zlT5x55GZY

….donate on our gofundme page here:            https://www.gofundme.com/f/2f3qq-keep-our-nhs-public-north-east

….please share!!! (this is also on facebook, x and gofundme)

….and maybe see you on September 21st!!! The run starts in North Shields at 10am > Fish Quay > Mouth of the Tyne > Tynemouth Priory and Castle > Seafront > Spanish City > finish line is at St.Marys Lighthouse, Whitley Bay… 11am – 11.30am??

Many thanks for your help – we need to KEEP OUR NHS PUBLIC

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Tuesday 20th August 2025 – response from Integrated Care Board re community mental health services

North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board is the body responsible for the commissioning of all healthcare in the region. The Board meets every two months, and members of the public are able to observe (either online or in person) and submit formal questions to Board members. 

Papers for the Board meeting of 29th July 2025 included an update on the development of the North East and North Cumbria (NENC) assertive and intensive community mental health action plans, so it felt appropriate that we question the Board about mental health.

The model of Assertive Outreach is under review nationally, low cost changes have been made in the NE, and more extensive service change is on hold pending financial help from the Government. Our question focuses on whether the additional cash from the Government will actually materialise, and whether there will be any knock-on negative change to the service (eg: cuts or staff reductions to other parts of the service) to accommodate the outcome of the Assertive Outreach review.

CLICK HERE

to read our questions in detail, and to read the response from the Board received today

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Sunday 17th August 2025 –  Freedom of Information request to Gateshead Health NHS Trust + emails to Gateshead MPs and Council Chair

Devastating news that Ward 23 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead will close as “part of cost cutting measures” – to read more about this, scroll down to our post below on 6th August 2025.

We understand that staff at the hospital and relatives are outraged. More information is needed about this, the consultation process and the plan of action.

CLICK HERE

to read the email to Kate Osborne MP  (Jarrow and Gateshead East). Emails have also been sent to Mark Ferguson MP (Gateshead Central and Whickham) and Liz Twist MP (Blaydon and Consett) from constituents / supporters of KONPNE (Friday 15th August 2025). Email to Sharon Hodgson MP (Washington and Gateshead South) sent Sunday 31st August 2025.

CLICK HERE

to read the Freedom of Information request to Gateshead Health NHS Trust (Saturday 16th August 2025)

and

CLICK HERE

to read the email to Cllr Lynne Castrey, Gateshead Council (Sunday 17th August 2025)

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Friday 15th August 2025 – Freedom of Information request to Newcastle upon Tyne City Council

Members of KONPNE remain extremely concerned about the recent comment from a Council official about the need for improvements to Sexual Health services in the city –  to read more about this, scroll down to our post on Friday 11th July. 

Sadly, we are not surprised. 

This service is currently provided by a private business – two years ago,  Newcastle City Council made the appalling decision to privatise the service  after 70 years of it being run by the NHS.

CLICK HERE

to read the Freedom of Information request, emailed to Newcastle City Council today

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Thursday 14th August 2025 – Congratulations, well done and a sincere THANK YOU to NHS staff in the NE 

The Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust scored highest in England on a national survey of patients’ experiences with cancer care. The annual National Cancer Patient Experience Survey asks those to have had care for any form of the illness in 2024 to rate a range of aspects of their care – including their overall satisfaction – on a scale of 0 to 10. In total, the Northumbria Healthcare trust scored 9.36 on average from 466 responses.

The England average was 8.94 – meaning that all five of the North East’s NHS hospital trusts did better than their peers nationally. Elsewhere in the region, the County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust received an average score of 9.04 (from 532 responses), Gateshead Healthcare NHS Trust got 9.24 (from 413), South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Trust got 9.05 (from 866) and the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust 8.99 (from 1,204).

CLICK HERE

for the Chronicle article (14th August 2025)

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Thursday 7th August 2025 – KONPNE meets

Our monthly campaign meeting this evening – with much on the agenda…feedback from the day of action and Durham Miners Gala, formal questions to the Integrated Care Board, BMA strike and RCN ballot, Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign, QE ward closure, privatised sexual health services, Ten Year Plan, KONP elections, We Own It petitions, meetings with MPs, and more….

CLICK HERE

to read the notes from the meeting – open to all to read

Our next Campaign meeting is on Thursday 4th September at 7pm via Zoom – all are welcome. Click here for more info.

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Wednesday 6th August 2025 – Closure of Dementia / Physical Health ward at QE, Gateshead

Devastating news today that Ward 23 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital will close as “part of cost cutting measures”.

In a report to the Board, trust management said: “Following a formal consultation process, we are proceeding with the proposal to close Ward 23, one of our older persons’ wards. Whilst this does reflect the need to meet our Cost Reduction Programme (CRP) it is important to note that it forms part of a broader move towards supporting patients in the community”

Ward 23 was set up as an innovative 24-bed approach to caring for elderly people who experience both physical and mental health issues. We understand that staff at the hospital and relatives are outraged at this sudden announcement – as are members of KONPNE. We will be following up on this development and we need to see a clear plan.

Apparently, the plan is to strengthen community-based care – but surely the whole point is that this client group requires integrated (mental health and physical health) and intensive 24 hr support. There will undoubtedly be  knock-on effect on other inpatient wards at QE and, additionally, we all know that existing community-based health interventions are at breaking point, and this will move will place increased pressures on existing community services and hard-working community staff.

This move is appalling.

CLICK HERE

for the report in todays Chronicle

and

CLICK HERE

for the earlier Chronicle report (9th June 2025)

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Tuesday 29th July 2025 – KONPNE puts question to the July Integrated Care Board

North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board is the body responsible for the commissioning of all healthcare in the region. The Board meets every two months, and members of the public are able to observe (either online or in person) and submit formal questions to Board members. 

Recently released papers for the Board meeting included an update on the development of the North East and North Cumbria (NENC) assertive and intensive community mental health action plans, so it felt appropriate that we question the Board about mental health at todays meeting.

The model of Assertive Outreach is under review nationally, low cost changes have been made in the NE, and more extensive service change is on hold pending financial help from the Government. Our question focuses on whether the additional cash from the Government will actually materialise, and whether there will be any knock-on negative change to the service (eg: cuts or staff reductions to other parts of the service) to accommodate the outcome of the Assertive Outreach review.

Thanks, Helen, for sorting this.

Our question, submitted in writing:

Supporters of “Keep Our NHS Public North East” recognise the work of the NENC ICB and NHS Trust providers of mental health services in producing the paper at item 16 (Integrated Care Board meeting, 29th July 2025) on Assertive and Intensive Community Mental Health.

This paper states that;

“ There has been national acknowledgment that the major transformation of services cannot be achieved without additional funding allocation and the system awaits further detail on this.”

Given the current situation in which mental health trusts are required to make very significant cost reductions during 2025/26 (7% across the whole system), and within the context of year on year cuts, please advise:

1) Have all of the four NHS Trusts been required to cost out their draft action plans?

2) Given current financial constraints, does NENC ICB expect that further funds will be made available from the Government for major service transformation, and will this additional funding recur annually?

3) How and when will NENC ICB make public any differences between the estimated costs from the Trusts and the actual additional funding received from the Government?

4) What impact will any major transformation of services within Assertive and Intensive Community Mental Health have upon the same or other areas of service delivery within the mental health trust? Please provide links to or copies of the impact and risk assessments.  We fully understand the principle that it is crucial to continually look to ways to improve services to meet the needs of clients – but we are also interested and concerned about any potential reduction in clinical services or staffing that may be brought about by the requirement to make these identified changes within Assertive and Intensive Mental Health.

I thank you for your attention

Our question was verbally repeated in full at the Board meeting today, and a response from Levi Buckley, Chief Delivery Officer, NENC ICB was made in detail and can be viewed online at the link below. We will make public the written response, when we receive it. The verbal response today included Q1) all action plans have been costed  Q2) As yet, no confirmation of additional funding from the Government. ICB will monitor  Q3) Given no details re additional funding, unable to clarify – will update at ICB meeting in February 2026  Q4) Current focus has been on low and no cost changes. Major transformation to services brings challenges, and the ICB works with provider Trusts to mitigate risks. Connections are made with all parts of the wider mental health service to ensure best outcomes possible.

The Board meeting was streamed live and  can be viewed online here: https://northeastnorthcumbria.nhs.uk/about-us/corporate-information/governance/meetings-and-agendas/integrated-care-board/

The papers for the meeting are also at the above link.

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Friday 25th July 2025 – We stand with resident doctors fighting for pay restoration

Strikes must be seen as an indication of systemic weaknesses in the NHS that demand attention. This dispute will only end after meaningful discussions between Wes Streeting and RD  representatives. Fixing pay, addressing morale by improving working conditions and filling staff vacancies require necessary investment and are essential for a more resilient and healthier future service. KONP stands in solidarity with striking RD and all NHS staff and urges Streeting to enter into negotiations with RD in good faith. The aim should be both to agree the promised road map to pay restoration and by doing so, take an important step in rebuilding the NHS.

CLICK HERE

for the full statement from KONP 

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Thursday 24th July 2025 – Written response received re our question to the June Integrated Care Board meeting

KONPNE put a question about service cuts to the Integrated Care Board meeting held on Tuesday 3rd June – the question was responded to briefly at the meeting, and the written response (below) was received today

Our question in short:

Keep Our NHS Public North East note that there are significant risks and that, additionally, relevant equality and quality impact assessments will take place on all efficiency plans.
We also noted the statement made at the last ICB meeting by the CEO Sam Allen about considering how some services that are currently provided could become ‘discretionary’ in future.

Keep Our NHS Public North East ask;
1. Will all of the risk, equality and quality impact assessments be made public and be presented at the ICB meeting?
2. As a result of the assessment/ review process, will any services that are currently provided free of charge become ‘discretionary’?
3. Will the list of these ‘discretionary’ services be made public and shared with Healthwatch representatives and others, in order to consult the public?

CLICK HERE

to read our question in full, with context, as provided to the ICB at the beginning of June

The response from the Integrated Care Board, received today:

Any changes to services deemed a significant variation need to follow an appropriate consultation or engagement process in line with the Health and Social Care Act.

All NHS organisations are required to undertake Equality, Quality Impact Assessments (EQIA), and every NHS organisation in the North East will have a policy for developing, approving, and monitoring these. Each organisation may have a different approach to what is published.

The reporting of EQIAs will be formally presented at every meeting of the NENC ICB’s Quality and Safety Committee (QSC). The paper will summarise quality and safety risks and include a list of completed EQIAs in all future papers. A summary report from the QSC is then presented at every NENC ICB board.

Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) continuously review service needs and the services they commission. They may need to decommission some services that are deemed less critical to the prevention, treatment, or care within the NHS, taking into account the funds made available by the government. This may be due to the availability of better services or the necessity to make difficult decisions about which services the NENC NHS can afford or how they are provided within limited resources. Rather than being considered “discretionary,” these services may be decommissioned or amended. Every effort is made to ensure that service provision is as efficient and effective as possible to maximise value to the public purse.

The ICB will make public any planned service changes and will follow appropriate consultation and engagement regulations and guidance. This includes working with and sharing information with Healthwatch and other relevant organisations.

KONPNE notes:

We need some clarity regarding what “significant variation” means to ensure that ALL cuts are consulted on. Obviously, many more questions need to be put to the ICB – we will continue to play our part, but important to note that all members of the public and organisations can submit questions: information about the process is here.  

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Saturday 12th July 2025 – 139th Durham Miners Gala

Fastforward to 2025, and proud to be at the Gala – a day of unity and celebration. The Gala is still with us, as is the NHS – BUT, no doubt about it, we need to campaign and fight for the NHS to continue as a publicly-provided service available to all.

ALSO (and no doubt about it!!)  a publicly-provided and publicly-funded NHS is the way to go in Durham today!! Huge support!!

Great reception and much support shown on the march to the wonderful Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign https://www.savesouthtynesidehospital.org/  :

A packed field….

…and a busy time for KONPNE and all in the Communities marquee – “Keep Our NHS Public” information display, some great visual images from “We Own It”,  hundreds of leaflets distributed, many conversations and wonderful to meet up with supporters… 

….and, of course, fantastic to meet up with NHS campaigners from far and wide – immediate rapport! Hello to activists from the Lewisham, Leeds and Manchester KONPs, Socialist Health Association and Unite Community (TWN). Great to meet up!! 

 

CLICK HERE

for the Friends of Durham Miners Gala website

(Date for the diary….always the second Saturday in July!)

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Friday 11th July 2025 – Privatised Sexual Health Services in Newcastle  “should and could do better”

This comes as no surprise – appalling decision by Newcastle City Council to go down the privatisation route two years ago.

KONPNE quoted in this article.

CLICK HERE

for the report in todays Chronicle

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Saturday 5th July 2025 – NHS @ 77

Birthday celebrations!!  Alongside KONP groups and supporters in events across the country, we thank all NHS staff and are proud to celebrate our NHS at 77 at our lively information event at Grey’s Monument in Newcastle upon Tyne.  And, of course, in addition to celebrations, we continue to highlight a crucial message – we wish and fight for Many Happy Returns.

CLICK HERE

for a roundup of NHS birthday events across England

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Saturday 5th July 2025 – A check-up for the NHS @ 77

“The NHS is still Britain’s greatest achievement and saves countless lives every day. But, it needs urgent treatment.

We must bring all of its services back into public provision and fund it fully. To stop the catastrophic haemorrhaging of staff, we need fair pay and conditions for all workers now. And to ease the burden on the NHS, we need a publicly provided care service and intersectoral approach to public health and disease prevention.

Nye Bevan said of the NHS: “It will last as long as there are folk left with the faith to fight for it.” Today, we celebrate the NHS and all who work in it – but if we don’t act now, there will be nothing left to fight for.  “

CLICK HERE

for the full article by Dr Rathi Guhadasan, Labour Hub

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Thursday 3rd July 2025 – NHS Ten Year Plan 

….one of the main topics of discussion at tonights KONPNE monthly campaign meeting. 

CLICK HERE 

for our bespoke webpage on this key current issue

We meet monthly on the first Thursday of the month – our next meeting is Thursday 7th August – more info is here, all welcome

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Friday 27th June 2025 – Privatisation hiding in plain sight

Concerned about the increasing privatisation of NHS eye care, a KONPNE supporter in Blaydon has recently been in touch with Liz Twist MP – and received a startling response. 

CLICK HERE

for the eye-watering details on our blog page

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Thursday 12th June 2025 – Nowhere near enough

‘The NHS funding increase is nowhere near enough to be transformative’   KONP statement on the government’s latest spending review, with JustTreatment and EveryDoctorUK

CLICK HERE: https://keepournhspublic.com/spending-review-2025-not-yet-a-turning-point-for-nhs/

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Saturday 7th June 2025 – NO to Austerity 2.0 – National March and Rally

 

 

 

Thanks to Pam and Lawrence who made the journey to London, and to all from the North East and beyond who were able to attend.

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Thursday 5th June 2025 – KONPNE Campaign Meeting

Always the first Thursday of the month, 7pm – 8.30pm, via Zoom.

CLICK HERE

for notes from this evening’s meeting

Good discussions, clear ways forward, enthusiasm and commitment. Many thanks to Helen for Chairing. 

Our next meeting will take place on Thursday 3rd June at 7pm – we need a Chair for this meeting, please get in touch (chairs are rotational). Info about our monthly meetings is here…. ALL are welcome, and hope that you can join us.

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Tuesday 3rd June 2025 – KONPNE puts another formal question to ICB about cuts

North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board is the body responsible for the commissioning of all healthcare in the region. The Board meets every two months, and members of the public are able to observe (either online or in person) and submit formal questions to Board members. 

At this meeting, once again we put a question to the Board about forthcoming cuts to services. Many thanks to Helen for taking the lead on devising this question and for attending the meeting, and for Maddy in attending the meeting online. Your feedback and discussion is invaluable.

Our question in short:

Keep Our NHS Public North East note that there are significant risks and that, additionally, relevant equality and quality impact assessments will take place on all efficiency plans.
We also noted the statement made at the last ICB meeting by the CEO Sam Allen about considering how some services that are currently provided could become ‘discretionary’ in future.

Keep Our NHS Public North East ask;
1. Will all of the risk, equality and quality impact assessments be made public and be presented at the ICB meeting?
2. As a result of the assessment/ review process, will any services that are currently provided free of charge become ‘discretionary’?
3. Will the list of these ‘discretionary’ services be made public and shared with Healthwatch representatives and others, in order to consult the public?

CLICK HERE

to read our question, with full context, as presented to the ICB

And the ICB response at the meeting…

Any service that is subject to cuts that are a “significant variation in service” will be subject to the consultation process, as contained in the Health and Social Care Act 2022

There was no response about our question as to whether any services  which are currently provided free of charge will become discretionary, although the CEO did confirm that it is likely that there will be service changes.

KONPNE notes:

We will circulate the written response from the ICB when we receive it. We will need a clear understanding of what “significant variation” means and ensure that ALL cuts are consulted on. Obviously, many more questions need to be put to the ICB – we will continue to play our part, but important to note that all members of the public and organisations can submit questions: information about the process is here.  The next Board meetings are scheduled for 29th July and 30th September 2025.

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Monday 2nd June 2025 – Rage Against Austerity

 

Thank you to North East Peoples Assembly for organising this event and for inviting KONPNE to speak this evening, and thanks to Martin for representing our team. A knowledgable range of speakers – UCU Newcastle University – University and College Union Branch Committee, Keep Our NHS Public North East, Stand Up To Racism – North East, PCS Northern Region, Berwick National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) and NEU Northern Region. Together with one voice – NO TO AUSTERITY. 

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Sunday 1st June 2025 – All is on track (!?)…..A response from Sharon Hodgson MP (Washington and Gateshead South)

THE NHS IS IN CRISIS.  Further to our MASSIVE concerns about ongoing privatisation and cuts expressed in our email, letter and information pack sent earlier this year, please click below to read the response from Sharon Hodgson MP (Washington and Gateshead South)…. but, strangely, we can’t detect any alarm bells ringing for Sharon regarding current Government activity. No concern about the increased use of the private sector and the embedding of the private sector within NHS structures (alignment of NHS and private sector digital systems around national standards, joint planning of services, involvement in staff training, etc), no reference to massive cuts in the ICB budget for the current year, no concern about the increased use of SubCos, no worry about staff morale and wages, current balloting and potential strikes….we could go on.   In fact, all seems promising and on track! 

Significantly, Sharon states that she will “always defend our NHS as a publicly funded, public service, free at the point of use” – Sharon expresses no commitment to it being PUBLICLY PROVIDED.

On a positive note, Sharon supports further investment in the NHS and, also, the launch of the independent commission into adult social care. Although current high workload means that a face to face discussion is not possible at the moment, Sharon confirms the possibility of a meeting after the summer recess, and this is very much welcomed. Sharon has also confirmed the option of further written contact. 

CLICK HERE

to read the response (23rd May 2025) from Sharon Hodgson MP (Washington and Gateshead South), May 2025

CLICK HERE

to read our reply (8th June 2025) to Sharons letter. There is much to discuss and we will keep you updated on our further contact.

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Friday 30th May 2025 – Oppose SubCos

SubCos (wholly-owned subsidiary companies) are private companies, set up by NHS Trusts – and they’re sadly back on the agenda.

Contracts take NHS workers out of the NHS, with inferior T&Cs against their will, and must be opposed.

Five things to know about NHS SubCos in 2025 and why they should be resisted…..

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Monday 26th May 2025 – CROWDFUNDER – National KONP 20th Anniversary Emergency Appeal

Our NHS is in crisis – we need to expand and intensify our fight to save it. However, without urgent financial help our ability to campaign is under threat too. 

We must act now

Keep Our NHS Public is intensifying its fight to demand proper NHS funding to deliver safe patient care, end privatisation, and secure a fair deal for NHS workers.    We need more protests, events, printed materials, and more press and media.

We must act before it’s too late.But we can’t do it alone. Without urgent financial support, our ability to fight back is at risk – just when the NHS needs us most.  We can still save the NHS – but we need your help.  Every pound you give strengthens our campaign to protect public healthcare.

Keep Our NHS Public has been the leading campaign against privatisation and underfunding of the NHS for 20 years.

CLICK HERE

for the Crowdfunder Appeal page

Thank you.

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Tuesday 13th May 2025 – Discussion with MP for North Northumberland

Meeting with David Smith, the new MP for North Northumberland. Time was spent highlighting our huge concerns about the ongoing privatisation of the NHS. 

Mr Smith confirmed how he is committed to a publicly funded NHS through taxation, as is the Government. As regards a publicly provided NHS, he spoke of his absolute agreement with the Governments direction of travel regarding using the so-called “spare capacity” in the private sector to reduce waiting lists.  He felt that this to be a temporary arrangement stating that, whilst he is ideologically committed to a publicly provided service, he is also pragmatic and that people shouldn’t have to wait in pain.

Of course. But this doesn’t get around the fact that this money needs to be invested in NHS provision, and not private business. Additionally,  the private sector doesn’t have “spare capacity” – in essence, this policy will involve NHS staff working overtime or moving to work in the private sector. We also dispute the notion that it will definitely be temporary – the Government is clearly working towards further embeddding private concerns into the NHS infrastructure by recommending private involvement in planning services together with Integrated Care Boards, and joint training between private providers and the NHS.

Agreement was identified over some issues, including the need to ensure that private providers have no future place in advising or sitting on Integrated Care Boards, and the importance of maintaining a range of clinical services in the context of future planned financial cuts – treatments should not be discontinued, forcing patients to pay for services (eg: ear wax removal).

Mr Smith highlighted the forthcoming Ten Year Plan which will set the future direction of travel, and welcomed our further contact with him once this plan is produced. We thank Mr Smith and his team for arranging this meeting today, and we will be in touch to discuss further. 

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Tuesday 13th May 2025 – Starmer is wrong: the NHS and Social Care need immigrants to survive

On Monday morning, Keir Starmer doubled down on the scapegoating of immigrants, who he claims have caused ‘incalculable’ damage to the UK. Starmer’s desperate pandering to the racist politics of Reform in an attempt to win back votes after the council elections is dishonest and dangerous.  Suggesting that the UK risks becoming “an island of strangers” is WRONG on many levels.

CLICK HERE

to read the KONP Statement

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Saturday 3rd May 2025 – For Peace, Justice and Democratic rights

Proud to be at the Tyne and Wear May Day March and Rally in Newcastle upon Tyne today. Solidarity from KONPNE.

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Thursday 1st May 2025 – KONPNE Campaign Meeting

Campaign discussions and planning session this evening. Notes are open to all to read – please click here.

Our next meeting is on Thursday 5th June (always the first Thursday) – please click here for more info.

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Monday 28th April 2025 – Government survey on NHS now closed

The NHS Change Team write:   “Thank you for being part of Change NHS. This has been the biggest conversation on the future of the NHS in its history with well over a quarter of a million contributions.

The surveys on the Change NHS website are now closed as we finalise the Plan ahead of its publication in June. This follows months of engagement with staff and the public online and in-person across England, culminating in the Change NHS National Summit held on the 4 April. This brought together hundreds of members of the public and health and care staff to help us develop the 10 Year Health Plan.

You can now head to change.nhs.uk to find out what participants and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care had to say about the Summit, and you can read more about the engagement that has taken place since last October.

Thank you for taking part – it’s your views, experiences and ideas that are helping us to develop the 10 Year Health Plan to build a health service fit for the future.

We’ll be launching the Plan in June and will let you know when it’s published so stay tuned for further updates. In the meantime, you can follow DHSC on social media for more updates.

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The deadline for submissions has now passed but, for info, the campaign group We Own It  devised a formatted email. 

CLICK HERE

for the formatted We Own It email

***

CLICK HERE

to read the KONPNE organisational response to the Survey

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Friday 25th April 2025 – Presentation to Unite Community (Northumberland Tyne and Wear Branch)

Thank you to Unite Community for the invitation to address the Branch meeting this afternoon and for the very warm welcome – great collaboration in the past between KONPNE and Unite Community and good to have the opportunity to update members today and join in discussions.  

KONPNE Steering Group member and Unite member John Whalley states: “The NHS founding principles are sound – publicly funded, publicly provided and publicly accountable, available to all based on need. We KNOW that they are sound because, until recently, the NHS has consistently delivered some of the best healthcare outcomes in the world, as evidenced by the Commonwealth Fund analyses. The UKs NHS was consistently top of this international health analysis league. But now, comparing the data from 2014 and 2024, our ranking has steadily dropped.  So – what has changed? The defunding and ongoing privatisation of our healthcare has led to the worst crisis in NHS history. It is URGENT that we reinforce the founding principles of the NHS before the service collapses completely”

CLICK HERE

for information about ongoing campaigns

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Tuesday 22nd April 2025 – Discussion with Healthwatch Hartlepool and Healthwatch Darlington

Healthwatch has a statutory role in representing the voice of local populations in decision-making regarding healthcare provision; indeed, North Cumbria and North East Integrated Care Board (the organisation which contracts healthcare in the North East) confirm that “Healthwatch has a seat at each level of decision making within the ICS” and “ensure that any service change has a foundation of patient involvement and engagement”.

It was good to be in Hartlepool today and to have the opportunity to meet up with Christopher Akers-Belcher (CEO Healthwatch Hartlepool / Healthwatch NE Regional Coordinator on the Integrated Care Board) and Diane Lax (Operations Manager, Healthwatch Darlington), and to hear of their work in representing the views of people locally and regionally.

Time was spent outlining the deep concerns of KONPNE supporters regarding the ongoing privatisation of the NHS – showing how (through opinion polls) the vast majority of people wish for a publicly-provided health service; how (through recent research from Oxford) outsourcing services to the private sector private leads to reduced quality of care; and how the Governments current increased focus on using the (so-called) “spare capacity” in the private sector will, in effect, both entrench private business in healthcare AND further the erosion of the NHS workforce.  There is no room for shareholders creaming off profits from monies that should  be used to provide health treatments.

We hope that, at our meeting today, we clarified our belief that by far the vast majority of people maintain that the NHS founding principles are sound – publicly funded, publicly provided and publicly accountable, available to all based on need – and that what we need now is investment in the NHS, a commitment to public provision and an end to outsourcing. 

We thank Christopher and Diane. Members of KONPNE hope for further involvement with Healthwatch organisations in the North East who, we feel, are in a key position to voice and get these beliefs across to those who commission services. 

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Tuesday 15th April 2025 – 3 MPs react…. but only 2 provide helpful ways forward

⇒  MP 1: Richard Burgon MP (Leeds East)

Richard Burgon, MP for Leeds East – not in the KONP North East area, but DEFINITELY worth a mention!! – on x (twitter) today states “Tax Wealth – Don’t Cut Disability Support”.

Richard Burgon states:

“We shouldn’t cut a single penny in support for disabled people – we should tax the wealthiest instead. I’ve launched a petition calling for wealth taxes, not cuts – as part of our campaign to get as many MPs as possible to vote down these cuts.   A Labour Government should not punish the poorest and most vulnerable. Cuts to support for disabled people aren’t just wrong but completely unnecessary. A 2% wealth tax on assets over £10 million would raise £24 BILLION!”

CLICK HERE 

to sign the Change.Org petition launched today

⇒  MP 2: Ian Lavery MP (Blyth and Ashington)

Ian Lavery slams Government over proposed £5 billion welfare cuts.

Blyth and Ashington’s Labour MP has called the Government’s planned welfare cuts “a step in the wrong direction” and vowed to vote against the plans in Parliament.

Ian Lavery said the reforms, which were outlined by Secretary of State Liz Kendall, contained “deeply concerning elements”. The Government hopes to save £5 billion by 2030, but the reforms announced have drawn significant criticism.  The plans would see the eligibility for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) tightened so fewer people would be eligible. PIP is paid out to people under state pension age who have a long-term physical or mental health condition and difficulty with daily living activities or mobility.

Ian Lavery stated:

“The Government’s benefits reform are a step in the wrong direction. While supporting people into employment and promoting workplace flexibility are positive steps, these reforms contain deeply concerning elements.  We all want people to have access to well-paid jobs with fair terms and conditions, as well as the flexibility needed for those living with disabilities and long-term illnesses. However, reforming the benefits system should not come at the expense of financial security for the most vulnerable. At its core, these changes are driven by cost-cutting rather than genuine support. Not only do these proposals impose significant financial penalties on sick and disabled people, but they also make accessing benefits like Personal Independence Payment (PIP) far more difficult”.

CLICK HERE

for the full Chronicle article (20th March 2025) 

and….

⇒  MP 3: Liz Twist  MP  (Blaydon and Consett) 

A KONPNE supporter living in Gateshead recently wrote to MP Liz Twist with huge concerns about the cuts to disability benefits….

CLICK HERE

for the very limited response from  Liz Twist MP (April 2025)

….who is, shall we say, “following the party line”…..?

At a time like this, we need our MPs to stand up and speak out loud and clear, with no ifs or buts….we need to be taxing wealth, and not reducing support by taking money from vulnerable people in our society.

KONPNE are following this important matter closely and we will, of course, be monitoring and reporting on the voting patterns of ALL of the MPs who represent us in the North East. We are not aligned to any political party, and will be following any and all. 

CLICK HERE

for the Statement from Keep Our NHS Public “Labour Party Abandons Disabled People”  (21st March 2025)

In the interim, here’s some great advice from Disabled People Against the Cuts (DPAC): https://www.facebook.com/DPACne

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Saturday 12th April 2025 – Healthcare and War

We wonder what kind of society we live in where even more cuts to disability benefits and health are made, while arguing for an extra £2.5 billion to go on so-called defence?

One person from the floor writes: An excellent meeting. Thanks very much to all concerned, both those representing the various organisations and those contributing from the floor. Especially pleased that all contributors covered such a wide range of material, offering a proper 360° view of the situation.

Thank you Pam for a great speech on behalf of KONPNE at the Stop The War open meeting today. 

Newcastle Stop the War facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064705415537

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Saturday 5th April 2025 – North Tyneside Councillors

Meeting with Cllr Sarah Burtenshaw and Cllr Anthony McMullen (Weetslade ward councillors, North Tyneside Council) at their weekly Surgery – good opportunity to highlight major concerns about the ongoing privatisation of the NHS in the North East. 

Crucial to get our councillors involved, as they sit on the Council Health and Wellbeing Boards and Health Scrutiny Committees, and are the ONLY elected voices in healthcare…. other personnel associated with planning / contracting health services tend to be paid officers of the ICB or representatives of local organisations…

At the meeting, a request has been made, via Cllr McMullen,  for KONPNE to address the North Tyneside Council Health and Wellbeing Board and the Caring sub-committee.

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Thursday 3rd April 2025 – KONPNE meets

Summer 2024 in Newcastle

Monthly Campaign meeting tonight via Zoom – much discussed and Campaign plans made. The notes from the meeting are, as always, open for all to read – please CLICK HERE

Do you support a publicly-funded and publicly-provided NHS???   Then join us at our next Campaign meeting – always the first Thursday of the month at 7pm via Zoom – details are HERE.… and see you on Thursday 1st May…. 

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Wednesday 27th March 2025 – KONP Statement

Other than repeated claims to be ‘on the side of working people’ Rachel Reeve’s Spring Budget statement sounded more like a Conservative chancellor’s speech 

CLICK HERE FOR THE KONP RESPONSE: https://keepournhspublic.com/labours-austerity-budget-our-response/

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Friday 21st March – KONP Statement – Starmer’s Labour Party abandons disabled people 

Keep Our NHS Public is shocked and outraged by the government’s plan to cut disability benefits by up to £5bn.

CLICK HERE FOR THE KONP STATEMENT: https://keepournhspublic.com/labour-party-abandons-disabled-people/

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Monday 24th March 2025 – Keep Our NHS Public – We Can Afford It

Great article by KONPNE member Pam Wortley in todays North East Bylines….

CLICK HERE

to read

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Thursday 20th March 2025 – Collaboration

Many thanks to North East Peoples Assembly for hosting the open meeting this evening, and for inviting KONPNE to speak on the panel – clear from all that the need for a mass anti-austerity movement is more important than ever. We need to work together to ensure a massive demo in London on 7th June 2025. Click here for details.

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Saturday 15th March 2025 – new KONP petition 

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Friday 14th March 2025 – KONP Statement on the abolition of NHS England

What does the abolition of NHS England mean for the future of the NHS?   Is it anything other than more disruptive restructuring, in the middle of a major NHS crisis? 

CLICK HERE FOR THE KONP RESPONSE: https://keepournhspublic.com/nhs-england-abolished/

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Thursday 6th March 2025 – Business As Usual 

Unfortunately the Zoom meeting this evening ended abruptly after introductions, due to an unforeseen electronic intrusion into the meeting shortly after the meeting started. The incident has been reported to Zoom, who are taking further Action.

Our next meeting will go ahead as planned on Thursday 3rd April at 7pm on Zoom, with enhanced log in security – we will be in touch regarding this.

In the interim, this does not stop us and the Campaign continues. Business As Usual.

CLICK HERE

for the Agenda from the meeting / what would have been discussed, together with a few additional details

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Wednesday 5th March 2025 – dates released by Peoples Assembly

“NO MORE AUSTERITY 2.0” – A public meeting hosted by Peoples Assembly North East

Thursday 20th March 2025, 7pm – 9pm at Tyneside Irish Centre, 43 Gallowgate Street, Newcastle upon Tyne

and 

“NO MORE AUSTERITY 2.0” – March and Rally hosted by Peoples Assembly

Saturday  7th June 2025, London

CLICK HERE

for more information

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Monday 3rd March 2025 – Meeting with Newcastle and Gateshead Healthwatch

A warm welcome and a useful meeting with Yvonne Probert, CEO of “Tell Us North CIC” – the organisation which hosts both Healthwatch Newcastle and Healthwatch Gateshead. The 2023/4 Annual Report of Healthwatch Newcastle confirms that “we make sure leaders and decision-makers hear your voice and use your feedback to improve care”. Healthwatch Gateshead state on their website that “the more people share their ideas and experiences and concerns about the NHS and social care, the more services can understand what works and what doesn’t”. Importantly, Healthwatch have a statutory role in healthcare provision across the country, and sit on the Local Authority Health and W 

Today, KONPNE took the opportunity to present information about the Campaign and, especially, about our deep concerns related to the ongoing privatisation of the NHS. Given that the majority of members of the public wish to retain a publicly-funded NHS and, importantly, wish for the NHS to return to a publicly-provided service, we also described the need for this fundamental issue to be represented as much as possible at place, ICP and ICB meetings, and also at LA Health and Wellbeing Board and Health Scrutiny meetings. It is crucial that some way is found for all present at these meetings to focus a bright light on this central issue, that the elephant in the room is seen for what it is, and that the voices of the local population are clearly heard. All present have a part to play in this.

We asked Yvonne to consider taking the following issues to the regional “Healthwatch” group, for action. NENC ICB make their belief clear that members of the public must be at the forefront of decision-making at all levels of their organisation, and we feel that these statements must be enacted in practice. 

1) the need for increased public awareness of plans re procurement and contracting, so that the public may have a voice, 

2) the poor physical accessibility to the ICB / Strategic ICP meetings for members of the public at Belmont Industrial Estate outside Durham – given that these are NENC regional meetings, members of the public are potentially travelling from as far as Cumbria, Berwick, and Middlesbrough 

3) the lack of access to the agenda, minutes and papers of the Area ICP meetings – these should be available on the ICS website – the ICB and the Strategic ICP minutes are already available there.

It was good to meet up with Yvonne today.

We are also keen to meet up with two members of Healthwatch who sit on the Board of the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board. We made contact seven weeks ago to request a meeting – KONPNE and Christopher Akers-Belcher (CEO Healthwatch Hartlepool) are in the process of arranging a date to meet…..but, as yet, no word from Paul Jones (Director, Healthwatch North Tyneside)….

CLICK HERE

for Healthwatch Newcastle

CLICK HERE

for Healthwatch Gateshead

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Friday 28th February 2025 – North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENC ICB) replies 

North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board is the regional statutory organisation responsible for NHS budgets, functions, commissioning and performance of our health services in the North East. Further to their recent reports, it seems that even more cuts are to be considered…..thus this important question from KONPNE was put to the Board Meeting on Tuesday 28th January 2025:

KONPNE note the current financial position of the ICB with an End of Year breakeven position, after receiving extra central funding, to cover the previously projected deficit. We note that the three areas of spending with the greatest risk are; 1) Prescribing  2) Continuing Healthcare  3) Delivery of efficiencies

We also note that the expectations of efficiency plans are higher in 24/25 than they were in 23/24. We also note the considerable number of ‘deep dives’ into the system currently proposed.

We ask;  1) Which patient facing services, in which geographical areas, are expected to deliver the largest efficiencies and what is the predicted reduction in patient services that will result?  2) Will the proposed ‘deep dives’ be conducted ‘in house’ or by ‘external consultants? If  ‘external consultants’ are undertaking this work, which firms have been contracted and what is the agreed cost for this work?

We feel it is fair to say that the responses at the Board meeting didn’t develop these questions, and we awaited the written response from the Board in the hope that this would provide greater details. This written response was received today.

CLICK HERE   and  HERE

for the NENC ICB response to our question

The response from NENC ICB doesn’t answer our first question, and we will seek further clarification on this issue.

Our second question was answered – whilst £200K was spent on an external consultant to assist in the review of financial sustainability and the resilience of systems, we note that half of the work was performed inhouse, and that there are no plans to commission external consultants to do any further review work at present. 

To be discussed further at the April 2025 Campaign meeting.

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Friday 28th February 2025 – To date we have responses from just 3 councillors, 3 MP secretaries, and 2 healthwatch…. but where is everyone else???? 

Six weeks ago, we wrote to all MPs, Councillors (on health committees) and Healthwatch in Newcastle, Gateshead and North Tyneside. We are positive about the 8 responses so far – but where is everyone else???  Scroll down to 29th January 2025 for the full picture….

People are dying in hospital corridors. 

This is NOT the new normal and it is in NO WAY acceptable. 

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Thursday 6th February 2025 – KONPNE Campaign Zoom

Welcome to our monthly Campaign Zoom – the notes from the meeting are available and open for all to read – we want people to know what we are about and what we campaign on.

CLICK HERE

for the meeting notes.

Our next meeting is on Thursday 6th March 2025, 7pm – 8.30pm, and log on info for Zoom is here.  Please join us. It is OUR NHS….

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Saturday 1st February 2025 – KONPNE + Unite Community + National Pensioners Convention 

Teamwork in full force at Grey’s Monument, Newcastle upon Tyne city centre today….. KONPNE  leading on the absolute need for Streeting to cease his ongoing NHS privatisation and for the Government to reinvest in the NHS – people are DYING in hospital corridors – this is NOT the new normal and it is in NO WAY acceptable…..and Unite Community Tyne and Wear and Northumberland  leading on restoring the winter fuel allowance.  There is, of course, a shared theme – we all know that cold homes = increased illness = increased hospital admissions.  But where are the beds?   The Government needs to think this through….

United campaigning and, also, United playing at St.James today – lots of football, lots of footfall, many conversations and hundreds of leaflets distributed….

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Friday 31st January 2025 – KONPNE + UCU at the Medical School,  RVI / Newcastle University

Great to be at the Medical School in Newcastle upon Tyne today campaigning alongside the University and College Union – conversations with current academics and our medical staff of the future…..we need to work together to ensure that they, and us, have a publicly funded and publicly provided, comprehensive and world-class service back in place….

Many leaflets given out – on the hour, twixt lectures, sure is a lively time.

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Wednesday 29th January 2025 – URGENT: All MPs, Councillors (on health committees) and Healthwatch contacted in Newcastle, Gateshead and North Tyneside

People are dying in hospital corridors. 

This is NOT the new normal and it is in NO WAY acceptable. Tragically, the Governments plan is to increase the use of the private sector rather than investing in expanding NHS capacity. 

This week we have contacted and need to speak urgently with our elected representatives – MPs and Councillors – and to reps from local Healthwatch who are purportedly “the independent voice of residents using health and social care services”.  We will let you know all responses.

Live in Northumberland or further south of the Tyne?  We have started off with the three Councils areas above – if you wish to assist with your own Council, please let us know at konpnortheast@gmail.com

CLICK HERE

to read the letter to Councillors.

The letters to MPs and Healthwatch are very similar, adjusted slightly for the person in question

CLICK HERE

for the information link we have sent to all

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Wednesday 29th January 2025 – KONP interview on Talk TV

Excellent interview of Dr Tony O’Sullivan, Co-Chair of KONP, on Talk TV today

CLICK HERE

to watch the interview (you can skip any pre-adverts)

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Tuesday 28th January 2025 – Integrated Care Partnerships combine in the NE – definite risks and uncertain gains

We understand that the Integrated Care Partnership meetings for the North and Central parts of the North East region are to combine – but, surely, bringing much uncertainty….

CLICK HERE

to read our Question to the Chairs of the North and Central Areas (20th January 2025)

and

CLICK HERE

to read the response (28th January 2025)

We hope to be able to observe future meetings and will keep you updated

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Tuesday 28th January 2025 – Meeting attended; Question asked; Awaiting written response

Further to the post below, our question was considered at the Integrated Care Board meeting which took place earlier today…..we are awaiting the written response from the ICB, before we respond to their response….. we will post all communications here….

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Sunday 26th January 2025 – Question to the Board Meeting

North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board is a regional statutory organisation responsible for NHS budgets, functions, commissioning and performance of our health services in the North East. Further to their recent reports, it seems that even more cuts are to be considered…..thus this important question from KONPNE to the Board Meeting scheduled for Tuesday 28th January 2025:

KONPNE note the current financial position of the ICB with an End of Year breakeven position, after receiving extra central funding, to cover the previously projected deficit.

We note that the three areas of spending with the greatest risk are;

Prescribing

Continuing Healthcare

Delivery of efficiencies

We also note that the expectations of efficiency plans are higher in 24/25 than they were in 23/24. We also note the considerable number of ‘deep dives’ into the system currently proposed.

We want to ask;

1. Which patient facing services, in which geographical areas, are expected to deliver the largest efficiencies and what is the predicted reduction in patient services that will result?

2. Will the proposed ‘deep dives’ be conducted ‘in house’ or by ‘external consultants? If  ‘external consultants’ are undertaking this work, which firms have been contracted and what is the agreed cost for this work?

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Monday 20th January 2025 – Advance notice  

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***Update: FOR FRIDAY: We have permission to host our stall in the lobby of the Medical School , located on Framlington Place- see you there!!

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Sunday 19th January 2025 – Yes to localised collaboration 

The letter below is self explanatory – we question this move to discussion and decision-making taking place further and further away from localities and local population AND ALSO putting the NHS in danger by setting the field for macro-privatisation at some point in the future….. hence this important question (below) to the “Integrated Care Partnership” meeting scheduled for the 30th January 2025…

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Sunday 19th January 2025 – Starmer delivers wrong prescription

Excellent article from Dr John Puntis, Co-Chair of KONP, published today.  Please read and share.  Also on our social media.

CLICK HERE

for the article

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Thursday 16th January 2025 – NHS support in Longbenton and Benton

Excellent work by KONPNE member Helen M in writing and putting the following motion to her local Labour Party Branch – accepted unanimously

Longbenton and Benton branch ask Newcastle North CLP to write to the Secretary of State for Health (Wes Streeting) asking him to refuse to accept the offer known in the press as PFI 2.00 which would mean Independent health care providers spending up to 1 billion pounds to build up their private hospital infrastructures in exchange for contracts to do NHS work in perpetuity. If the decision is made to accept this offer, then Newcastle North CLP requests that the Parliamentary Health Select Committee be asked to scrutinize the arrangements.  

The Labour Party’s 2024 General Election Manifesto promised that ” Labour will make sure that the NHS is owned by the government, not private companies“ and “Labour will stop the chaos in our health and care services, turn the page, and reform them in line with the principles of the NHS that Labour founded.”

There are many reasons why private providers are not the answer to the waiting list and NHS crises:

1. 100,000 vacancies in the NHS, private hospitals will be taking existing staff to do the additional work.

2. PFI’s which the government concluded in 2018 should not be repeated, left the NHS with 13 billion pounds of assets for 80 billion pounds (and counting as still being paid off)

3. NHS staff are already losing out on training due to private hospitals cherry picking the straightforward operations like cataracts, hernias and the straightforward hip and knee replacements.

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Friday 10th January 2025 – dates confirmed for street action

Keep these dates!!  31st January and 1st February 2025, 11am – 1pm (with a possible 1 hr extension)

WE HIGHLIGHT: NHS Winter Crisis / Increased funding to private healthcare companies / Cuts to services

THERE IS ANOTHER WAY: A publicly provided NHS / An NHS funded to succeed / Respect and decent pay for all health workers / Reinvest in public health / Restore and expand our NHS

Please assist with leafletting and on our information stalls:

Friday 31st January, 11am, at Framlington Place, Newcastle (on the pedestrian walkway, by the side of the RVI leading to the Medical School) and Saturday 1st February, 11am at Greys Monument, Newcastle City Centre, 11am.

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Thursday 9th January 2025 – Into 2025

Our first Campaign meeting of the New Year – and obviously no shortage of material to discuss.

CLICK HERE

to read the notes of the meeting

We need your help this year. Our next meeting is via Zoom on Thursday 6th February at 7pm (always the first Thursday at 7pm) and everyone is welcome. Info is here  Everyone is welcome.

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Wednesday 8th January 2025 – Support two “We Own It” campaign actions  

Keir Starmer’s private healthcare deal sells out NHS patients

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Stop the Government from backing private companies – SIGN THIS PETITION!!!! 

According to the Telegraph, the private healthcare sector is prepared to spend £1 billion on expanding their facilities. In exchange, the government would guarantee them access to NHS contracts and budgets for the long term.

THIS MUST BE STOPPED.

CLICK HERE

for more information from We Own It, plus sign the petition, plus forward it on…..

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Wednesday 1st January 2025

JOIN THE CAMPAIGN IN 2025!!

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