News

KONPNE campaign news – photos, videos, updates, media articles – from January 2000 to NOW

9th August 2020 – Sedgefield MP fails to support Amendment that would protect the NHS

 

9th August 2020 – Blyth MP fails to support Amendment that would protect the NHS

8th August 2020 – Pay justice for health care workers

Crucial for KONPNE to be at the socially-distanced march and rally in Newcastle today, in support of pay justice for health service workers. Poor rates of pay have contributed to the recruitment and retention crisis in the NHS, and workers shouldn’t have to wait until April 2021 for a pay review. Clapping on a Thursday night does not put food on the table. A great turnout at the march, speeches from health care workers, and also our first post-lockdown opportunity for a brief catch up with friends at Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign and Sunderland KONP.

A Chronicle report, pictures and video is here

 

5th August 2020 – KONPNE at Cullercoats Branch Labour Party

Many thanks to Cullercoats Branch Labour Party for the invitation to meet up with members tonight via Zoom – we were asked to present our new powerpoint on NHS privatisation in the North East, and this was followed by questions and discussion. It is great to have your support, and the support of other political parties in the North East.

KONPNE does not align itself to any one political party – we have members from most political parties (or none), and it remains very important for us to welcome all people who support a publicly funded and publicly provided NHS. Very recently, we have developed powerpoint images and text to accompany our presentations – we have found that this makes the presentation more engaging and interesting. If your group (be that political, social, educational, or religious….most gatherings, in fact!) would like a speaker / presentation to describe NHS privatisation in the North East, then please get in touch at konpnortheast@gmail.com , and we will do our best to assist.

 

4th August 2020 – KONPNE on Zoom

Our agenda included an update from the Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign, information about the forthcoming NHS Workers Pay Protest on Saturday (information here), an overview of the Campaign work so far regarding NHS charges to migrants (see here) and details about the recently updated KONPNE presentations on NHS privatisation in the North East. Most of the agenda and discussion centred around the Trade Bill and possible campaign initiatives (here), including lobbying the Lords and maintaining a focus on contacting local MPs….following our meeting tonight, we have updated our campaign strategy regarding this – please watch out for the details.

3rd August 2020 – NHS privatisation in the North East

KONPNE has devised a 30 minute Powerpoint presentation summarising the privatisation of the NHS in the North East, which can be delivered via Zoom. The presentation has been trialled successfully with several groups and has been followed by questions and answers. If you know of any groups that would like to book this presentation for a meeting: political, social, religious or any other interested group, please contact us at konpnortheast@gmail.com. Thank you

Please click here for further details

31st July 2020 – KONPNE and Unite Community Branch

Great to be invited to a Zoom meet up with members of the NE Unite Community Branch, for an overview of the Campaign and discussion. Together we are stronger, and it is good to have your support.

This meeting saw the third trip out for our newly updated powerpoint presentation on NHS Privatisation in the North East. This presentation is available to other groups and organisations, and KONPNE members are invited to present it, at the moment via Zoom. If you are not an attender at our meetings, please get in touch with us at konpnortheast@gmail.com, and we will do our very best to arrange a speaker.

20th July 2020 – Trade Bill now at the Lords

Further to the appalling voting at the Commons today, we are now reviewing the Campaign, with a focus on the Lords. Check out the page here for specific details about the passage of the Bill so far through Parliament, and actions to take. We are considering all options re the Lords, and will update supporters when we clarify and agree our way forward. Thank you. 

8th July 2020 – 2 min Trade Bill video now published by KONPNE

URGENT: Please watch – then share or tweet this video to all of your contacts….The Trade Bill will be debated in Parliament in July 2020, and it is CRUCIAL that we contact our MPs NOW

youtube: https://youtu.be/lgKa7IShjeI

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NHSPublicNorthEast

twitter: https://twitter.com/KONPNorthEast 

Accompanying track Rumble is from www.bensound.com

6th July 2020 – North East Bylines

Excellent article from Giuseppe Bignardi in North East Bylines re Saturday action in Newcastle.
Thanks, Giuseppe.

Please click here:     https://northeastbylines.co.uk/troubled-birthday-4-the-nhs/

5th July 2020 – Across the North East….

5th July 2020 – 72yrs young

Today we CELEBRATE but we also PROTECT.

We need to KEEP OUR NHS PUBLIC – or we will lose it. 

Dr. Helen Groom (GP) said;-   “The things that have worked during the COVID 19 pandemic have been the ones organised by the NHS – our hospitals have’t closed, and we have, so far, had enough ITU beds. The things that haven’t, PPE procurement, testing, contact tracing and most tragically our care homes, are all contracted out to private companies. We call
on the government to SAVE the NHS from current trade bill and privatisation discussions, FUND the NHS to 11% of GDP, bringing us to average and not below average as we are currently, and to STOP migrant charging. This weekend we ask every member of the public not only to clap or take the knee but to write/email/tweet their
MP, Matt Hancock and Boris Johnson with those 3 messages”

Jude Letham co-ordinator of Keep Our NHS Public North East said;-  “We have a state-of-the-art pathology lab in Gateshead but tests from IKEA 5 miles away were sent to Milton Keynes and often didn’t return. Big multinational private companies such as SODEXA, Capita, PWC and Deloitte and have been given £1.7 billion pounds worth of contracts in the last 3 months 1 . Serco got £49 million for call centres, PESTFIX £109 million for supply and delivery of PPE. Keep our NHS Public say give this PUBLIC tax payer’s money to the NHS. We need to act now to remove the NHS from the current trade talks and prevent the US companies from taking more of those contracts and implementing US style health care.”

Tony Dowling People’s Assembly said;-   “Mental health and care services have been devastated by cuts in funding and contracting out to private companies where share holders count, not patients. It’s essential that the NHS is saved from the current trade talks, that privatisation stops, and that we stop migrant charging which prevents ill people from seeking treatment. We’re asking all members of the public to do their bit and to write, email, tweet their MP, especially Conservative ones, to say SAVE, FUND, STOP. A tsunami of public opinion reaching all of our politicians is what the NHS and care services need this weekend.”

4th July 2020 –  Full report and video from Chronicle Live

Please click here 

4th July 2020 – Celebrations on the Toon

HAPPY 72nd BIRTHDAY NHS!! AND MANY MANY HAPPY RETURNS!!!
Today we CELEBRATE – but we also need to PROTECT against cuts, outsourcing, the Trade Bill, and the hostile environment.
72 years ago, the NHS was established in a war-ravaged Britain – now, 72 years later, we need to rebuild and restore the founding vision of the NHS.
But, for today, it’s birthday celebrations on the Toon – KONPNE and Peoples Assembly NE have (socially distanced, and numbers strictly limited!) celebrations at the Millenium Bridge, The Monument and outside the RVI.
And massive thanks to Wendy, Alizon and Theresa for huge assistance with artwork!!! 😃😃😃

Click on any image to enlarge

Great coverage in Chronicle Live – click here

4th July 2020 –  NHS-on-Tyne:  today we CELEBRATE….but we also need to PROTECT

Click here for the two minute video from the Millenium Bridge on Tyneside…..

30th June 2020 – KONPNE Zooms

Wide ranging discussions, detailed campaign planning and a presentation about privatisation in the North East = another busy KONPNE meeting….

On the agenda this month – update from Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign, report back on the local work completed so far regarding removing NHS charges to migrants, planning regarding the action in Newcastle city centre on Saturday 4th July and the online rally on Sunday 5th July (both to celebrate the NHS 72nd birthday, and to highlight the ongoing privatisation of the NHS), update on the NHS Trade Bill and the campaign to date, and finally a presentation of our draft powerpoint about NHS privatisation, soon to be available to all local health campaigners in contact with political, social, religious, educational and family groups across the NE.

The notes of our meeting will be available shortly, and details of our next meeting are here. All welcome!!

26th June 2020 – NO to current Trade Bill

KONP SUNDERLAND AND DISTRICT shout a resounding NO to the current Trade Bill passing through Parliament. It is CRUCIAL that our North East MPs vote for Amendments in order to protect our NHS.
For info / action plan / NE photo gallery see www.konpnortheast.com/events

Sunderland KONP: https://www.facebook.com/KONPSD

24th June 2020 – more replies from NE MPs re Trade Bill

Photos: June 2020 – RVI, Newcastle | City Hall, Newcastle | Quayside and Tyne Bridge, Newcastle

21st June 2020 – KONPNE contacts Tory members on Trade Bill Committee

Trade Bill 2020 now at the Committee Stage, and KONPNE Co-ordinator Jude Letham contacts all nine Tory Committee members – this is a team effort, please click here to find out what you can do now

Dear 

Re. Amendment to the Trade Bill to protect the NHS

The Conservative manifesto 2019 made the following pledges:

“When we are negotiating trade deals, the NHS will not be on the table. The price the NHS pays for drugs will not be on the table. The services the NHS provides will not be on the table.”

However the Trade Bill, as it stands, does not give the NHS this protection.  We urge you to support the amendment put forward by Stewart Hosie, to protect the NHS for us all.

Regards Jude Letham (Co-ordinator) Keep Our NHS Public North East

20th June 2020 – Message received loud and clear in North Tyneside and Northumberland

Photos: June 2020 – Hexham Abbey | North Shields | Promenade, Whitley Bay | Market Place, Bishop Auckland

17th June 2020 – We’re observing voting patterns very closely

**** URGENT ****
Our MPs must vote for the relevant AMENDMENTS to the current Trade Bill – or we will lose our NHS. The NHS is DEFINITELY “on the table” in Trade talks.
**** URGENT **** information about the campaign is here

Photos: June 2020 – Beach Huts, Blyth | Church Point, Newbiggin | Clock Tower, Morpeth | Spirit of the Staithes, Blyth

16th June 2020: North East Birthday event organised

15th June 2020 – Urgent

A member of KONPNE devised the following graphic. Many thanks – it spells things out loud and clear….now on our facebook and twitter – please share and tweet

www.konpnortheast.com/events

https://weownit.org.uk/act-now/protect-nhs-trade-deals

https://speakout.38degrees.org.uk/campaigns/protect-our-NHS-in-law-now

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/300019

15th June 2020 – KONPNE addresses North Tyneside Green Party

Many thanks to North Tyneside Green Party for the invitation to meet up with members tonight via Zoom – we presented a powerpoint on NHS privatisation in the North East, followed by questions and discussion. It is great to have your support, and the support of other political parties in the North East.

KONPNE does not align itself to any one political party – we have members from most political parties (or none), and it remains very important for us to welcome all people who support a publicly funded and publicly provided NHS. Very recently, we have developed powerpoint images and text to accompany our presentations – we have found that this makes the presentation more engaging and interesting. If your group (be that political, social, educational, or religious….most gatherings, in fact!) would like a speaker / presentation to describe NHS privatisation in the North East, then please get in touch at konpnortheast@gmail.com , and we will do our best to assist.

14th June 2020 – UK / US Trade negotiations continue

8th June 2020 – KONPNE Zooms large

Valuable discussions and time spent planning forthcoming Campaigns – including UK / USA Trade Bill, local and national action at the anniversary of the founding of the NHS (4th and 5th July 2020) and work on challenging the health charges imposed on migrants to the UK….also great to catch up with all supporters!!

The notes from the meeting will be posted here in the next few days and, as always, details of our next meeting and future actions will be circulated on our emails, plus website and social media.

Keep well and keep in touch

5th June 2020 – UK / USA Trade Bill: 5 North East MPs respond

It is now two weeks since we wrote to all 22 MPs in the North East regarding the Trade Bill which is currently going through Parliament (- see 18th May post below). Five MPs have responded, and their emails are copied below…we await feedback from the remaining 17 MPs. We realise that it is a busy time all round for MPs, but this matter is of the utmost importance and it is URGENT – next being presented to the House at the end of June, and it is crucial that our representatives support the amendment… for details of our Campaign, please see here

From Emma Lewell-Buck MP (South Shields):

Hi Jude

Hope you are all well, you might have seen I was due to speak in the Bill but then the House cut the debate short.  I posted my speech on my Facebook and Twitter

Best wishes to you all

Emma

Emma Lewell-Buck MP

==========

From Ian Mearns MP (Gateshead):

Dear Jude,

Thanks for your email to which Ian has asked me to reply.

While the Covid-19 has highlighted our vital our NHS is, particular to our more vulnerable communities; it has also exposed the effects of years of under investment and privatisation. We have seen reports over the last couple of months of depleted stockpiles of PPE, some of which many years out of date; staff shortages across the service and a lack of adequate facilities. It is admirable the way the staff in the NHS have met the challenge of responding to Covid-19, and is of no surprise. But it is important that it is noted that many other routine and essential appointments have been cancelled in order to retain the capacity required.

For a number of years Ian and his colleagues have shared deep concern of the way the conservatives view all aspects of trade, but in particular the NHS. It can not be right that private organisations are receiving vast sums of public money for delivering services which could and should be provided directly, and with little accountability. The discussions around the TTIP proposals some years ago around disputes panels/courts was frightening. 

Ian absolutely agrees that it is not enough for this government to make any pledges, given their track record of making misleading and often incorrect statements across a range of matters. Ian was delighted to support the Labour manifesto pledge at the last election stop and reverse NHS privatisation and continues to support your campaign locally and in parliament.

I trust this clarifies Ian’s position, however if there is anything further Ian can assist with please do get in touch.

Best wishes,

Kris  –  Office of Ian Mearns MP

==========

From Mary Glindon MP (North Tyneside):

Dear John

Mary asked me to thank you for your email. 

As Mary is the Opposition Whip for the Shadow International Trade Team, and as the 2^nd Reading of the Bill is returning to the House next Wednesday, she cannot comment.  She will, however, raise your concerns with the team.

Kind Regards

Christine Aird

PA to Mary Glindon MP

==========

From Bridget Phillipson MP (Houghton and Sunderland South):

Dear Jude

Thank you for your correspondence regarding the Trade Bill.

The NHS has deservedly seen an outpouring of support from across the nation in recent weeks. The fact remains that I do have serious concerns over the ability of the Conservative government to defend and protect the NHS, to ensure that it provides quality health services to the British people. I can assure you that I will oppose any threats to these principles.

On the issue of the Trade Bill more widely, I have no issue in principle with a Bill that provides the legal mechanisms to enable our transition from trading as a part of the EU bloc to return conventions and competence to the UK. I do also believe in a trade policy that is transparent and subject to full parliamentary scrutiny, and so would have welcomed a Trade Bill that ensures meaningful parliamentary scrutiny of all future UK trade and investment treaties. This Trade Bill represents a considerable missed opportunity, and sets the bar far too low when it comes to the level of transparency and parliamentary accountability that this and future legislation related to trade should meet. I therefore voted against the Bill at its Second Reading.

Labour tabled a reasoned amendment explaining why this Bill was unsuitable, stating ‘it fails to set out proper procedures for Parliamentary consultation, scrutiny, debate and approval of future international trade agreements, fails to protect the principle of Parliamentary sovereignty in respect of the implementation of international trade agreements previously negotiated by the European Union and in respect of changes to existing government procurement regulations arising from the UK’s or other countries’ accession to the Government Procurement Agreement, fails to establish sufficient scrutiny procedures to replace those that have pertained while the UK has been a member of the European Union, fails to guarantee that the UK’s current high standards and rights will be protected in future trade agreements, and fails to render the Trade Remedies Authority answerable to Parliament or representative of the full range of stakeholders who should be included in its membership.’

The Trade Bill did pass nevertheless, and is now being considered by a Public Bill Committee which will scrutinise each line of the Bill and is expected to report to the House by Thursday 25 June 2020. I can assure you I will continue to monitor the Trade Bill, and you can follow its progress via the following link: https://services.parliament.uk/bills/2019-21/trade.html.

In usual circumstances, I would write to the Government to forward your queries. However, as I am sure you can appreciate, MPs have now been advised that due to the existing pressures faced by ministers, we should only make representations for the most urgent coronavirus-related cases.

Thank you again for writing to me.

Yours sincerely,

Bridget Phillipson MP

==========

From Alan Campbell MP (Tynemouth)

Dear Jude Letham

Thankyou for contacting me about trade agreements and the NHS. 

I appreciate your concerns on this issue. I am not opposed in principle to free trade agreements, including a trade deal with the US. As the global economy seeks to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, we will need to agree new trade deals that will benefit UK workers and businesses of all sizes. However, these trade deals must serve our interests in the long term and protect our existing rights and standards. Crucially, as you highlight, they must not threaten our health service.

The US Governments negotiating objectives for a trade deal with the UK, published in February 2019, include UK commitments to provide access to service markets, with only “the narrowest possible exceptions with the least possible impact on US firms”. These exceptions, it says, should be “on a negative list basis” – where all services are included unless explicitly excluded. In addition, the US states that it will seek to ensure drug price regulations “provide full market access for US products”.

The UK Governments says the NHS and the price it pays for drugs will not be on the table in trade negotiations with the US. However, I worry that the Government’s urgent desire for any sort of deal could lead to an agreement designed for the benefit of the major corporations behind the American healthcare industry.

We must never let our health service be up for grabs in any trade negotiation. We must ensure that all parts of the NHS are fully protected under any international trade deals. For the Government to reassure NHS patients that this will be the case, it needs to make clear that it will ensure explicit wording rules out liberalisation measures from applying to our NHS. Importantly, it also needs to provide proper procedures for parliamentary consultation, scrutiny, debate and approval of future international trade agreements, so we can attempt to hold it to account on this. I am disappointed that its current Trade Bill does not do this, and I therefore opposed it at Second Reading.

Thank you once again for contacting me about this issue. I can assure you that I will continue to do all that I can to protect our NHS from any threats to it in future trade deals.

Yours sincerely

Alan Campbell MP

*********

….and we await the responses from the remaining 17 MPs

4th June 2020 – Response from North Tyneside Elected Mayor

Further to the post below and our emails to Norma Redfearn re the privatised 111 call centre in North Tyneside, please find below Norma’s response.  We would be interested in your views about this response – comments, please, to konpnortheast@gmail.com

Dear Mr Whalley

Thank you for your recent email.

I understand that the Council’s Public Protection Team were contacted with complaints about SITEL practice towards staff at the beginning of the period of “lockdown”.  Those complaints were investigated and found SITEL able to evidence the right practice in meeting the Public Health England guidance for teams who could not work at home.

NHS England confirmed NHS 111 is run by a mix of organisations including private, social enterprises and NHS Providers.  The current national Coronavirus Response Service is run on behalf of NHS 111 by private providers including SITEL.  This was done to respond to significantly increased demand following the outbreak and reliance on those private providers is already being reduced and is due to be phased out.

The call responders used, were trained specifically to deal with Coronavirus-related calls and were appropriately selected, screened and trained.  That training was developed by the same NHS clinical staff responsible for the core NHS111 service.  Pathways and guidance were designed in line with Public Health England material and clear governance was put in place to ensure transfer to a clinician for a full assessment when required.

NHS 111 in the North East is delivered by North East Ambulance Service Foundation Trust.  The call handling elements are not subcontracted and are judged as “Good” by CQC.  During the implementation of the national Coronavirus Response Service, callers were given a choice between the national response line and the local NHS111 service operated by NEAS.

Thank you once again for taking the time to contact me.

Kind Regards, Norma Redfearn CBE

Elected Mayor of North Tyneside

4th June 2020 – Second call for Norma Redfearn, NT Elected Mayor….

KONPNE remains concerned about the quality of service provided by the privatised 111 call centre located in North Tyneside and, after nil response to our email to Norma Redfearn sent one month ago, today we have written again – our two emails copied below are self-explanatory…

SENT MAY 3rd 2020:

Dear Mayor Redfearn

We hope you and your family are staying well through the current crisis.

We have received some concerning information about the way that Covid 19 is being dealt with in North Tyneside.  https://calderdaleandkirklees999callforthenhs.wordpress.com/2020/04/07/suspected-covid-19-patients-lives-are-in-the-hands-of-nhs-111-call-handlers-with-only-90-minutes-training/

In this article, it is alleged that call handlers for the 111 service employed by Sitel UK in North Tyneside have been receiving as little as 90 minutes training on a script to follow, when they are contacted by people with suspected Covid 19 symptoms, and there is thus significant concern about the quality of the service being provided.

According to our sources, Sitel is employing around 300 people to staff the Tyneside NHS 111 Covid 19 lines, about 90% of whom are new starters, many just 16-17yrs old.  We know of one young man working there who commented about the work, “It’s easy, you just tell them they can’t have an ambulance.”

We have contacted the two local MPs to ask them to investigate the 111 service being provided.

It will be of great concern to you as Mayor of North Tyneside Council, that the Council assisted Sitel UK (a subsidiary of the American owned company, Sitel) to set up their provision at Cobalt Business Park, through the Invest North Tyneside initiative.  https://investnorthtyneside.co.uk/?s=Sitel

We are already disgusted at the overturning of the Council motion made in 2018, which stated that they would not implement the delivery of healthcare via an Integrated Care System.  We believe that Integrated Care Systems will accelerate the privatisation of the NHS.  If the allegations against Sitel UK are true, they highlight the grave concerns that we have about the quality of service given by private companies and the lack of accountability for their actions.

The Steering Group of KONP North East, our members and National KONP, would be interested to hear your views on this matter.

Regards, Jude Letham – (Co-ordinator) on behalf of KONPNE Steering Group

…..AND SENT JUNE 4th 2020:

Dear Mayor Redfearn

I am a member of Keep Our NHS Public North East Steering Group and a resident of North Tyneside, and Jude Letham (KONPNE Co-ordinator) has asked me to get in touch with you.

Please find copied below an email which was sent to you over a month ago. Your response would be appreciated.

To my mind, issues regarding governance, training, quality of service and customer satisfaction need to be explored and fully examined. As part of this, it will be crucial to know how the service is being evaluated, and how the parameters for this have been set. I would be grateful for your views about this and any plan of action you intend to take. Thank you. I am sure you agree that it is crucial that this privatised health business located in North Tyneside is fit for purpose – this is important at the best of times, but doubly important given the extremely sensitive nature of the work involved at the current time.

I write this email to yourself on behalf of all KONPNE members. Myself and other members who live in North Tyneside are particularly concerned about this private business being on our doorstep. Details of these emails to yourself and your response are shared with all KONPNE members – at our (currently Zoom) meetings, and also communicated on our website and social media. I am also copying in North Tyneside Healthwatch, for information / action.

John Whalley

Steering Group member, Keep Our NHS Public North East

31st May 2020 – Going the extra mile

Spotted in Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne, this morning. The health professionals who work in our wonderful NHS go the extra mile, day in, day out, and recently at very significant personal risk – their actions demand our huge respect and we need to fly the flag in giving enormous gratitude. Contrast with the guy who “went the extra 260 miles” up the M1 during lockdown…and then took his family on an eye test….

No comparison. Actions speak louder than words, and both have demonstrated very clearly what they are made of.

18th May 2020 – KONPNE contacts MPs in the North East (all 22 of them….)

We are urging everyone to write to their MP about the urgent need to support the amendments to the current Trade Bill. As part of this campaign, KONPNE co-ordinator Jude Letham has written to all 22 MPs on behalf of KONPNE, to put our views forward. The email is copied below – please follow this up by writing to your MP and/or arranging a Zoom meeting (many MPs are conducting Zoom surgeries with their constituents). Full information about the Campaign is on our events page here

Dear ……………

I hope you and your family are staying well through the current crisis.

Covid 19 has highlighted how precious our NHS is, but unfortunately, it is also very vulnerable as the current Trade Bill does not exclude the NHS.  We at ‘Keep Our NHS Public North East’ (including many of your constituents) have joined with ‘We Own It’ to argue for the Trade Bill to be amended, when it has its second reading on Wednesday 20th May.

I am sure you will agree that it is not enough to hear the Prime Minister and Liz Truss say that the NHS is not for sale: we need a legally binding commitment in the form of an amendment to the Trade Bill.  ‘We Own It’ have identified five things that the Trade Bill needs to include if the NHS is to be properly protected:

1. Specific carve-out for the NHS, all health-relevant services and regulation: it should be illegal for the government to conclude a trade agreement which alters the way NHS services are provided, liberalises healthcare further, or opens up parts of the NHS to foreign investment. 

2. No use of negative listing: these clauses require that all industries are liberalised in trade agreements unless there are specific carve-outs. It is not always easy to define what services count as health services: for instance, digital services may seem irrelevant to health, but NHS data management and GP appointments are increasingly digitised. Negative lists therefore make it harder for governments to regulate and provide health services. 

3. No standstill clauses or ratchet clauses: these provisions mean that, after the trade deal has been signed, parties are not allowed to reduce the level of liberalisation beyond what it was at the point of signature. This can make it difficult to reverse NHS privatisation.

4. No ISDS: Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) clauses in trade agreements allow private investors to challenge governments over changes to domestic legislation. We need to be able to control our own laws. 

5. No changes to drugs pricing mechanism: the US administration has publicly stated that they wish to use a trade deal to challenge the NHS’s drugs purchasing model, which keeps prices low. Medicines are vital to our health – there must not be any concessions on this in trade talks.

I hope you will argue for strong protections for our NHS and drug prices, and/or support Caroline Lucas’s ‘reasoned amendment’ that the Bill should not pass because of lack of scrutiny.

I look forward to hearing how you have supported our NHS and will report your response in our next newsletter.

Regards

Jude Letham   (Co-ordinator)    Keep Our NHS Public North East    

11th May 2020 – KONPNE discussion night via Zoom

Two inspiring video clips from recent on-line meetings provided an introduction to tonights informal discussion.  Julie Hesmondhalgh (actor and chair of Manchester Peoples Assembly, taking part in a People’s Assembly meeting) spoke of the current context and the need for change and John Lister (Health Campaigns Together, featuring in a Q&A session by Curzon Cinema) spoke of possible ways forward.

…and, of course, our discussion highlighted a resounding consensus about the importance of campaigning in the North East on both local and national issues. Due to the current social restrictions brought about by the coronavirus, we need to review the way we work and adapt accordingly, and some excellent proposals were put forward regarding the future. These will all be picked up and developed at our next KONPNE meeting on Monday 8th June. All  welcome – details here

 

10th May 2020 – and spotted on Whitley Bay promenade this morning – we like your style!!

It is time for change. Members of the public are, literally, getting the word out on the streets…..

3rd May 2020 – Huge concerns about privatised COVID 19 call centre in North Tyneside

We have received some concerning information about the way that Covid 19 is being dealt with in North Tyneside – please see the following report from our colleagues in the health campaign group “999 Call for the NHS”: https://calderdaleandkirklees999callforthenhs.wordpress.com/2020/04/07/suspected-covid-19-patients-lives-are-in-the-hands-of-nhs-111-call-handlers-with-only-90-minutes-training/

In this article, it is alleged that call handlers for the 111 service employed by the private company Sitel UK in North Tyneside have been receiving as little as 90 minutes training on a script to follow, when they are contacted by people with suspected Covid 19 symptoms – there is a very significant concern about the quality of the service being provided.

Today, we have written to both Mary Glindon MP and Alan Campbell MP (North Tyneside MPs), North Tyneside Councillors, and Norma Redfearn (Mayor of North Tyneside) – and we await responses…

But the water is murky. An associated issue is that it was, indeed, North Tyneside Council who originally assisted Sitel UK (a subsidiary of the American owned company, Sitel) to set up their call centre at Cobalt Business Park, through the Invest North Tyneside initiative….doesn’t sit comfortably with the Councils response to the KONPNE formal question about health privatisation at the full North Tyneside Council meeting just two months previously (scroll down to 4th March 2020) when Councillor Karen Kilgour attempted to assure that “there is no risk of a privatised health system in the current structure”.

Lets be clear – a blanket one-off privatisation of our healthcare will not happen overnight – it is an incremental process, with an ever-decreasing NHS presence and a corresponding increase in contracting to private business. We have the skills in our NHS workforce – and we need to ensure that they remain there….and, indeed, we all have a part to play in ensuring that happens….

29th April 2020 – spotted in Fenham, Newcastle, this morning….

This is very true. Every day, thousands of NHS staff, social care staff, and other keyworkers are literally putting their lives at risk when they go into work….and where is the back up from our politicians? Be sure about it – this Government will be called to account.

28th April 2020 – Huge respect and gratitude

With huge respect and gratitude from all at KONPNE on International Workers Memorial Day, Today we remember the sacrifice of the health workers and key workers who have died caring for us during the crisis, here and across the world.
Please observe a minute’s silence at 11.00am.
We are grateful to Gilda at Leeds KONP for artwork.

 

27th April 2020 – KONPNE and Zoom campaigning

Our first online meeting using Zoom – obviously not as engaging as meeting together and we are very aware that some people aren’t online…   But maybe there are also a few positives?? Some people have commented that zoom saves travelling time and, indeed, may be more accessible for those who live in outlying or rural areas, or where transport or mobility may be challenging. Anyway – we continue to try to utilise all means of communication open to us at any one time…in addition to zoom meetings, we have this website, our regular Campaign email updates, and very active facebook and twitter postings AND, most importantly, we rely on all supporters to spread the word….and we will be back to face-to-face meetings (and maybe also keeping some zoom gatherings??) as soon as we can.

The first meeting this evening went well, with 17 participants – our thanks to Jude for organising and chairing. Discussions and presentations centred around accessing PPE locally, the national KONP perspective on the Coronavirus Pandemic, and the range of activities which we can get involved in now (see here) .  The notes from the meeting are posted here: 27-04-20 KONPNE Meeting Notes

A heads up re two dates:

>>>> Monday 11th May @ 7pm – KONPNE online event – possibly video and online discussion….watch this space for information

>>>> Monday 8th June @ 7pm – next KONPNE online meeting via zoom – please log in at 7pm for introductory notices

More info about these two events, plus a users guide to zoom, are located here

26th April 2020 – Patient Care Not Company Profits

Hear Jude Letham, Co-ordinator of “Keep Our NHS Public North East”, outline the issues associated with the ongoing privatisation of the NHS.

24th April 2020 – Video briefing from Keep Our NHS Public (national office) Co-Chair Dr Tony O’Sullivan

Tony examines the lessons that can be learned from the Coronavirus Pandemic and outlines what we must now demand

22nd April 2020 – New video from singer/songwriter Bethany Elen

See North East musician / songwriter Bethany Elens new NHS video here:

and to buy the track, please click here https://bethany-elen.bandcamp.com/track/song-for-the-nhs

Bethany Elen has supported the campaign for many years, and we are grateful for her ongoing support.

21st April 2020 – Hear Dr Gerard Reissmann

Dr Gerard Reissmann, Newcastle GP and KONPNE steering group member, talks about Coronavirus and the desperate situation in nursing homes

16th April 2020 – UK / US trade deals and the North East

KONPNE support the great campaigning initative from “We Own It” regarding the current UK / US trade deals.  As long as NHS services are provided by private companies, our NHS is still on the table –  no matter what the politicians say.

John Whalley, a member of the KONPNE steering group has contacted his constituency MP to ask her to support amendments to the Trade Bill – Mary Glindon MP (North Tyneside) received the following email today, and the attachment is also linked below

Dear Mary, 

We will keep you updated on Marys response – but this is just the start and we now call upon all KONPNE supporters to join in with the Campaign. We ask that you contact your MP (email addresses for all North East MPs are here), and for as many people as possible to write (it would be great if a MP is contacted by a number of constituents). Full info and guidance is currently on our website “events” page here….your assistance would be greatly appreciated. It is CRUCIAL that the amendment is fully discussed and agreed.

Members of KONPNE work closely with “We Own It”. It is a highly regarded national organisation which campaigns for public ownership of public services – more information about their work is found here: https://weownit.org.uk/public-ownership/nhs

April 2020 – Coronavirus – GUIDANCE FROM THE NHS

For advice from the NHS about Coronavirus (Covid 19) incl symptoms, preventative actions, high risk groups, social distancing and self isolation, then please click here: 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

and HUGE RESPECT to all healthcare workers from people across the country….

7th April 2020 – In Exhibition Park this morning…are YOU there to look after the NHS?

Spotted amidst the spring flowers, birdsong and sunlight this morning – Our NHS has been there for us for the past seventy years, and is fighting for us big style today. HUGE RESPECT to all healthworkers and keyworkers who are facing very significant personal risks in looking after us and helping us to get through these very difficult days…

Thought for the day is: Are you there to look after the NHS?  We need to restore the responsibility of the Secretary of State to provide a comprehensive, integrated, publicly owned NHS free at the point of need.

Check out the petition at https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/300019

28th March 2020 – Buy “Song for the NHS” by Newcastle singer/songwriter Bethany Elen Coyle

 

SONG FOR THE NHS by Bethany Elen Coyle

Written by Bethany Elen Coyle, and first performed by Bethany Elen and Ron Brown at the KONPNE / Peoples Assembly 2017 NHS Rally in Newcastle, Bethany is donating all proceeds from future sales to groups who are supporting NHS workers dealing with the current coronavirus outbreak.

Download plus unlimited streaming – £1.50 or more

https://bethany-elen.bandcamp.com/track/song-for-the-nhs

26th March 2020 – Blue Sky, Blue Tyne Bridge, Lots Of Noise and HUGE respect

No black and white in sight in the toon tonight….blue all the way, plus cheers, clapping, lots of noise and HUGE RESPECT to our NHS workers fighting the Coronavirus pandemic

25th March 2020 – Open letter to Matt Hancock on the Private Healthcare announcement

             

25 March 2020

Dear Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health & Social Care,

Thank you for bringing private healthcare capacity into public control to tackle the coronavirus crisis. This was exactly what needed to be done. This vital boost to beds, staff and intensive care equipment will save more lives, plain and simple. 

We’re happy to hear you recognise that no one should be profiting off our collective illness. We’ve seen reports that ‘no profit will be made’ by companies, but now we need to see the deal. 

That’s why we’re demanding that this ‘deal’ be made public, every dot and comma of it. You have stated that it will be done with “Open book” accounting, and external auditors verifying the public money being used. But we deserve to see what is being contracted to private companies here, including staffing arrangements. As Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs offer their hotels to NHS staff for free, we repeat no profit should be made in this arrangement. 

Over 17,000 NHS beds have gone since 2010, meaning patients were already being sent to private hospitals for treatment, channeling cash and vital NHS staff to private companies. NHS capacity must be expanded to serve our communities: it is not there to prop up private companies.

This experience has taught us that we are all in this together, and that our NHS is a vital life saving organ looking after our health together, no matter whether you can pay. 

To keep our NHS intact at the end of this, we ask that you pledge:

• That this ‘deal’ be made public, every dot and comma of it. 

• To end all of these contracts after this crisis. We know that private companies are hungry for long term NHS contracts. This means chunks out of the NHS budget are given to companies who in turn take profits, wasting money and fragmenting our health service. We do not want privatisation by stealth. 

• Reinstate our NHS by ending all privatisation across the service as soon as this is over. 

• That the NHS gets adequate funding and capacity to guarantee proper staffing and the beds required to treat people, so that the long term crisis in our health can end. 

This crisis, that grips our families and friends every day, has shown that the NHS needed more capacity to deal with this in the first place. We hope to work with you to do this in the coming years.

Co-signed by:

We Own It, Keep Our NHS Public, Health Campaigns Together, Momentum, Doctors for the NHS, Our NHS, GMB, Medact

23rd March 2020 – KONP calls for immediate lockdown

Health Campaigners call for an immediate lockdown
Press release on behalf of Keep Our NHS Public – for Immediate use
23 March 2020

National NHS campaigning organisation Keep Our NHS Public, in solidarity with an increasing amount of healthcare staff around the country, is calling on the government to impose an immediate lockdown.

See: https://keepournhspublic.com/about-us/press/health-campaigners-immediate-lockdown

22nd March 2020 – Blue Angel of the North tonight for our NHS

What can we say?

Superb installation tonight from the Arts Collective “Come Together North East”. They write on facebook:

We would like to show our love, gratitude and solidarity to all NHS workers that are showing that they are the true heroes in our society, and always. All the best always, and thank you for everything you do, from the North East. 👏