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Health protest: activists protest in February |
Listen to us... or see us in court
Camden’s Keep Our NHS Public campaign will make sure that NHS Camden and the government consult local people, says Candy Udwin
OUR health service should not be for sale. We can’t let NHS Camden ignore our views. NHS Camden’s recent actions make it clear they really do not care about local public opinion when it comes to putting into practice this government’s plans to open up our National Health Service to big business.
The health trust has just started a major consultation over changes to our family doctor services.
But before even starting, they had already decided to acquire a building in Hampstead Road and to set up a new mega GP health centre which they put out to private bidders to compete for.
Last week they chose the fastest-growing UK private health company to run it. When asked why they did not consult local people first, the trust’s answer was they do not have to and they are a bit behind the government’s timetable.
The profits that Care UK made out of the NHS grew 59 per cent last year and they increased their dividend payout to their shareholders by 9 per cent. Perhaps they have been doing so well by cutting back… Half of Care UK’s registered patients do not get to see a doctor. Instead they are seen by nurses. And 90 per cent of their walk-in patients do not see a GP at all.
People die 10 years younger in the poorest parts of Camden. Our money should be spent on trying to reduce that huge gap by supporting and improving the services provided by existing family doctors.
Instead, the money will go to private profit, and local surgeries will have to compete with the private company to stay open.
Since last April when three Camden surgeries were handed over to the US firm UnitedHealth, there has been huge anger across the borough at the idea that this might happen again.
People have queued in the rain to sign petitions; they have marched through the high street and have given up their time to come to some of the biggest local protest meetings Camden has seen for a long time.
Packed rooms full of people in Bloomsbury, Kentish Town, Hampstead, Somers Town and Regent’s Park have all been vehement in opposing any more private take overs.
That is why the Keep Our NHS Public campaign in Camden will make sure that the trust are taken to court if they don’t agree to consult local people. And why we will ask local people to boycott the new privately run clinic if it goes ahead. We are asking for help because we believe the future of the NHS is at stake if we don’t start making NHS Camden and the government listen to us.
If you would like to help go to: camdenkeepournhspublic.org.uk or call 020 7383 3092.
If you could make a donation please send cheques payable to Camden KONP group and send to 49 Rossendale Way, NW1 0XB.
The questions they don’t dare ask us
Some Camden doctors and campaigners have drawn up the questions that NHS Camden should be asking you, but won’t:
• Would you like brand new GP surgeries at your local GP-led health centre or polyclinic hub, even if:
– your own practice might disappear?
– it might be run by a private company?
• If you want to talk to a doctor about an ongoing or serious problem concerning yourself or your family, would you prefer:
To see the same doctor of your choice at a location near to you?
or
To travel further to see a doctor or nurse who does not know you but who can see you more quickly?
• Would you prefer:
Your existing GP surgery to move to a GP-led health centre, polyclinic hub or hospital?
or
Your surgery to be improved or expanded where it is now?
• In a time of limited resources would you like your money spent:
On new GP ventures which have no evidence behind them to show that they will improve patient care?
or
Improving existing GP practices in Camden? |
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