Response to Clive Efford MP’s NHS Bill

Published by NHSbill2015_Admin  ~   0

On Friday 21st November 2014, the House of Commons will debate a Private Member’s Bill introduced by Labour MP Clive Efford.

The National Health Service (Amended Duties and Powers) Bill 2014 would repeal the ‘Competition’ sections of the 2012 Health and Social Care Act. This is to be welcomed as a step in the right direction of reducing procurement and tendering procedures, subject to clarification that the National Health Service (Procurement, Patient Choice and Competition) (No. 2) Regulations 2013 would also be revoked. These are the Regulations that require commissioners to advertise new NHS contracts unless the services are only capable of being provided by a single provider.

The Bill, however, would not re-establish the Secretary of State’s duty to provide the NHS, despite the long title of the Bill saying that it would. Neither would it abolish the commissioner-provider split, as proposed by the NHS Reinstatement Bill.

Other points of concern are that it would for example:

  • appear to defer unnecessarily to EU competition law;
  • not reverse the 2012 Act’s prospective abolition of NHS trusts, and their transformation into NHS foundation trusts or take over by private companies; and
  • leave Monitor in place with the same main duty, without a statutory purpose and continuing to licence private providers.

Further clarification is also required as regards the provisions covering the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership Treaty and use of the term ‘‘service of general economic interest”.

Professor Allyson Pollock, Peter Roderick and David Price have prepared a response to the Bill, which includes their provisional views as to whether some of the key provisions deserve to be supported or opposed and where clarification is needed.  That response is here:

Response to the National Health Service (Amended Duties and Powers) Bill 2014, published on 7th November 2014 (“the Efford Bill”)

Liberal Democract MPs and candidates supporting the NHS Reinstatement Bill

Published by NHSbill2015_Admin  ~   0

PLEASE NOTE: This page was written prior to the General Election in May 2015. The information below is provided for historical interest only, and refers to individuals that were MPs and candidates prior to the General Election.

 

Thousands of people have been contacting their MPs and parliamentary candidates asking them to support the campaign for the proposed NHS Reinstatement Bill.

On 11th March 2015, Andrew George MP (Liberal Democrat, St Ives) co-sponsored the National Health Service Bill – the NHS Bill – when it was tabled in the House of Commons. The NHS Bill was based on the second version of the NHS Reinstatement Bill.

John Pugh MP (Liberal Democrat, Southport) also supported the presentation of the NHS Bill.

John Leech MP (Manchester, Withington) has also stated his support for the NHS Reinstatement Bill.

Below are the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidates that have stated their support for the NHS Reinstatement Bill.

Michael Mullaney, Liberal Democrat candidate, Bosworth

Mike Plummer Lib Dem Bournemouth WestMike Plummer
Liberal Democrat, parliamentary candidate,
Bournemouth West

“Regardless of whether or not I’m elected to Parliament I will fight to reverse all privatisation of the NHS. I would also support any proposed increases in funding to ensure the NHS continues to offer the world-class service that it always has, does and must continue in the future.”

 

 

Stephen Worrall Lib Dem candidates High Peak copyStephen Worrall
Liberal Democrat, parliamentary candidate,
High Peak

“I am indeed willing to support inclusion of a bill, in the first Queen’s Speech after the election, that would go a long way to reversing the large amounts of marketisation in the NHS that we have seen over the past quarter of a century. I am also fully behind the restoration of the NHS in England as an accountable public service as in my opinion that is what it should be.”

 

Robin McGhee Liberal Democrat candidate KensingtonRobin McGhee
Liberal Democrat, parliamentary candidate,
Kensington

“I think the NHS should be run by the public sector, not private companies. When it is public, that means the public has more say in how it is run. It is also more efficient, and very often a good deal cheaper in the long run. I would be happy to support a bill like this in principle.”

 

 

Gerald Vernon JacksonGerald Vernon-Jackson
Liberal Democrat, parliamentary candidate,
Portsmouth South

“This is a campaign I completely agree with.”

 

 

 

Chris Foote Wood Liberal Democrat candidate, Richmond (Yorks)Chris Foote-Wood
Liberal Democrat, parliamentary candidate,
Richmond (Yorks)

“I fully support the principles of the NHS Reinstatement Bill.

(a) I am and have always been opposed to PFI deals as they are costly, wasteful and provide extra and easy profits for contractors;
(b) I am opposed to competition within the NHS as I do not think it is appropriate in any way;
(c) I am opposed to any further privatisation of the NHS and would seek to reverse this.”

 

 

Bob Johnston LibDem RushcliffeBob Johnston
Liberal Democrat, parliamentary candidate,
Rushcliffe

“I am happy to support this campaign”

 

 

 

 

Keith Nevols
Liberal Democrat, parliamentary candidate,
Sittingbourne and Sheppey

“‘I support the general principle of the Bill. Few subjects are as precious to people than our National Health Service which must always remain free and obtainable as its most important principles. However, the NHS is too important to be just another political topic, and we have seen that no party has the solution to its current problems. So, while it should remain accountable to the taxpayer, I would like to see all-party representatives and independent experts get together to establish how the NHS can survive in the 21st century.”

Trevor Carbin Liberal Democrats South West WiltshireTrevor Carbin
Liberal Democrat, parliamentary candidate,
South West Wiltshire

“I support the principle behind the proposal of restoring the NHS by making a clearly a public service that people could take pride in working for, and would be happy to support something along the lines of the NHS Reinstatement Bill.”

 

 

 

Peter Reisdorf Liberal Democrat candidate Wirral WestPeter Reisdorf
Liberal Democrat, parliamentary candidate,
Wirral West

“I totally support the NHS Reinstatement Bill.  It would put right a lot of the things that have gone wrong in the NHS over the past 10 years or more.”

 

 

 

Have you contacted your parliamentary candidates yet?

You can email, tweet or write – it only takes a minute – take action here.

Please let us know their replies, you can email us at: info@nhsbill2015.org

UKIP prospective candidates supporting NHS Reinstatement Bill

Published by NHSbill2015_Admin  ~   0

PLEASE NOTE: This page was written prior to the General Election in May 2015. The information below is provided for historical interest only, and refers to individuals that were candidates prior to the General Election.

Thousands of people have been contacting their MPs and parliamentary candidates asking them to support the campaign for the proposed NHS Reinstatement Bill.

As a result, we have received some statements of support from UKIP candidates, see below.

Have you contacted your candidates yet? Please remember to let us know their responses, email us at info@nhsbill2015.org

Peter Bush UKIP candidate AbervonPeter Bush
UKIP parliamentary candidate,
Aberavon

“I have been employed by the NHS, as have my family for many years, and for a period of time was also Young Members Officer for UNISON within our health branch. I feel it is a dire state of affairs that our NHS is being privatised without ever asking for permission from the people who have built it up and pay for the NHS. It is our NHS and should always stay that way. Everyone should receive treatment according to their needs and not be afraid of how to pay for that treatment or delay receiving treatment due to financial concerns. I completely support this NHS Reinstatement Bill as does the UKIP Party within their NHS policies.”

 

Mike Glennon
UKIP parliamentary candidate,
East Worthing and Shoreham

“I can assure you from the bottom of my heart that I would support a return to the essentials of the NHS as I knew it throughout my earlier life.  Rest assured that UKIP would clamp down on the undermining forces that are destroying our NHS.”

 

 

Richard Palmer
UKIP parliamentary candidate,
Sittingbourne and Sheppey

“I was employed in the NHS for nearly 12 years, serving as a NHS trained paramedic and for a few years I was shop steward with The Confederation of Health Service Employees and later Unison. I feel it is sad that nearly 75% of the NHS has been privatised without ever seeking the permission of the people who cherish it and pay for the NHS. It is our NHS and should stay that way. Everyone should receive treatment according a clinical need not on the ability to pay. Personally I feel we need an open and honest public debate on what services the NHS should be providing. I would support a return of essential services back into the NHS.”

 

Marcus John Brown
UKIP parliamentary candidate,
Sutton Coldfield

“The proposed NHS Reinstatement Bill has my full support. Not only is it my own personal philosophy but it is also UKIP party policy to support an NHS that is free at the point of entry and oppose any attempt at privatisation. I have previously supported all other campaigns to save the NHS and protect Good Hope. I was born there and I feel an affinity and loyalty towards it.”

 

 

Stuart Adair UKIP candidate TewkesburyStuart Adair
UKIP parliamentary candidate,
Tewkesbury

“ I think our views align perfectly. I very much hope that I am in the position to be able to support this campaign after the election.”

 

 

 

 

Have you contacted your parliamentary candidates yet?

You can email, tweet or write – it only takes a minute – take action here.

Please let us know their replies, you can email us at: info@nhsbill2015.org

 

Roger Godsiff MP supports the proposed NHS Reinstatement Bill

Published by NHSbill2015_Admin  ~   0

Roger Godsiff, Labour MP for Birmingham Hall Green is backing the proposed NHS Reinstatement Bill.

“I entirely support the campaign to return the NHS to public hands. Our health service should be run as a public service that protects people’s health, not as a cash cow for private companies to skim off profits. The voices of UK citizens have been loud and clear on this – they want their health service to remain public and accountable. The Government needs to start listening.”

Roger Godsiff MP, October 2014

Does your MP support the NHS Reinstatement Bill? Ask them now.

Marcus Chown announces his support for the Campaign for the NHS Reinstatement Bill 2015

Published by NHSbill2015_Admin  ~   0

The writer and broadcaster Marcus Chown has announced his support for the Campaign for the NHS Reinstatement Bill 2015

“It is astonishing and shocking that the Coalition has got away with removing the government’s ‘duty to provide’ healthcare for you and your family, which has existed since 1948 and which is the foundation stone of the NHS. The effective abolition of the NHS by stealth – under a smokescreen of lies – is the worst thing a government has done to its people in my lifetime. I wholeheartedly support the principles and objectives of the Pollock/Roderick NHS Reinstatement Bill.”

Marcus Chown, 20 October 2014

If you agree please contact your local MP and prospective parliamentary candidates to ask if they support the NHS Reinstatement Bill.

Allyson Pollock explains how our NHS is being abolished

Published by NHSbill2015_Admin  ~   0

Allyson Pollock explains how our NHS is being abolished in a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences.

The 1948 Act establishing the NHS gave the Secretary of State for Health the duty to provide universal health care.  The Health and Social Care Act 2012 removed this duty and introduces a market. Allyson Pollock describes why we need to worry.

If after watching it, you would like to do something, please contact your local MP and prospective parliamentary candidates to ask if they support the NHS Reinstatement Bill.

 

Max Pemberton backs the Campaign for the NHS Reinstatement Bill 2015

Published by NHSbill2015_Admin  ~   0

Max Pemberton is a psychiatrist in the NHS. He is also an author of three books about his experiences as a doctor, and is a weekly columnist for the Daily Telegraph.  He has announced his support for the Campaign for the NHS Reinstatement Bill

I wholeheartedly support the proposed NHS Reinstatement Bill. The NHS reforms brought in by the coalition government have been a costly, unnecessary disaster, as the government has now admitted. The Health and Social Care Act 2012 fundamentally undermined healthcare in this country and is bad for patients, especially those with complex or chronic conditions. As the market has been introduced into the NHS, the layers of bureaucracy have grown and swelled to levels of byzantine complexity and urgently need to be brought under control. Managers have proliferated in recent years with no clear benefit to the overall efficiency of services.

The NHS needs to be lean and efficient – I do not know of a single healthcare professional that would disagree with this. I had hoped the Health and Social Care Act would deftly dissect out these unwanted and unhelpful elements within the NHS, but instead the scalpel has been used to stab the NHS in the back. All the Act achieves is the atomising of the NHS. It is being spliced and diced into bite-sized portions to be thrown down the gullet of the corporate sector. And ultimately it is the weak and vulnerable who will suffer. We cannot stand by while this butchering of our health service goes on.

Max Pemberton, psychiatrist, author and Daily Telegraph columnist

If you agree please contact your local MP and prospective parliamentary candidates to ask if they support the NHS Reinstatement Bill.

Will NHS England be whittled down to a core service?

Published by NHSbill2015_Admin  ~   0

BMJ Front cover 11 October 2014 copyProfessor Allyson Pollock, a public health doctor based at Queen Mary, University of London, and Peter Roderick, barrister and senior research fellow also at Queen Marys, are the driving force behind the proposed NHS Reinstatement Bill.

In the BMJ (11 October 2014) they have published their paper ‘A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing – Is Monitor reducing hospital and Community services in England under the guise of continuity?’

They outline how market forces and budget cuts are challenging the financial viability of hospitals in England, with NHS beds and other services continuing to close as thousands of staff are laid off.

TBMJ Monitor Article p15 11 October 2014 copyhe proposed NHS Reinstatement Bill would abolish Monitor and prevent the reduction of Foundation Trust services from proceeding.

You can read the rapid responses to the article at the BMJ site here.

If you would like to see the proposed Bill become law, then please ask your local MP and prospective parliamentary candidates to ask if they support the NHS Reinstatement Bill.

Below you can listen to Allyson Pollock and Peter Roderick discuss the issue in ‘Is NHS England being whittled down to a core service’ from BMJ talk Medicine. (They discuss the proposed NHS Reinstatement Bill from 15.04 onwards.)

 

 

Images © the BMJ

Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign announce their support

Published by NHSbill2015_Admin  ~   0

save lewisham banner

The Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign have announced their support for the NHS Reinstatement Bill Campaign 2015.

The Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign fought to save our local hospital in 2013 and we realise that this is part of the wider fight to save the NHS as a whole.

We fully support the NHS Reinstatement Bill. The campaign behind the draft bill is two things: firstly, an important rallying point for those who will fight to defend our NHS and secondly, an education and a clear demonstration of just how far the destruction of the national health service has gone.

Nobody welcomes another reorganisation of the NHS, but when they realise how far down the road the Government has travelled in dismantling the NHS, people will realise why they must make a stand now. The NHS is in mortal danger: this bill is an important part of the campaign to defend the principles of the NHS.

Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign, 12 October 2014

If you agree please contact your local MP and prospective parliamentary candidates to ask if they support the NHS Reinstatement Bill.

National Health Action Party announce their support

Published by NHSbill2015_Admin  ~   0

National Health Action PartyThe National Health Action Party have announced their support for the Campaign for the NHS Reinstatement Bill 2015.

“The National Health Action Party fully endorses the principles and objectives of the Pollock/Roderick NHS Reinstatement Bill. This is in keeping with our policies to support an NHS that is publicly provided, publicly delivered and publicly accountable. This is the only way to ensure that the NHS delivers a comprehensive, free at the point of use service to all citizens, regardless of their ability to pay, in a sustainable way.” 

Dr Clive Peedell, Co-leader of the National Health Action Party, Consultant Clinical Oncologist

 

If you agree please contact your local MP and prospective parliamentary candidates to ask if they support the NHS Reinstatement Bill.