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Lobby challenges Labour leaders

Over a hundred activists lobbied the Labour Party conference today, Sunday 30 September, under the banner of the NHS Liaison Network.

Transport from London to NHS lobby of Labour conference, 30 September

Leaves RMT Unity House, 39 Chalton Street, London NW1 1JD at 09:30 Saturday 30 September.

Tickets £15.

Call 07904 944 771 to book.

Will Labour rescue the NHS, or implement “Lansley-lite”?

By Todd Hamer

“The Tories are marching over the bridge that Labour built” – Dave Prentis on the Health and Social Care Bill.

Andy Burnham made a pledge at the TUC rally in March this year that he will repeal the Health and Social Care Act if he is health secretary when Labour are next in power. But is this promise sufficient?

Lobby Labour Party conference, 30 September

Lobby of Labour Party conference, demanding Labour pledge to rebuild the NHS. Called by NHS Liaison Network. Sunday 30 September, 2.30pm.

Meet at the central entrance to the convention complex, Peter Street, Manchester, M2 3GX

We need to resist the Tories’ plans to trash the NHS immediately, not wait for the general election to solve things. But part of our resistance must be pressure on the Labour Party for a clear commitment to repeal the Health and Social Care Bill and rebuild our health service.

Labour movement and campaigning organisations supporting the lobby include: Unite the Union North West Region; Unite Women’s Committee; Merseyside Association of Trades Councils; Wirral Trades Council; Midlands RMT; Unite Manchester Community Branch; Liverpool Wavertree CLP; Wirral South CLP; Broxtowe CLP; London Keep Our NHS Public; Newcastle Keep Our NHS Public; Leeds Keep Our NHS Public; Sheffield Save Our NHS; Labour Representation Committee; Drypool and Holderness ward Labour Parties (East Hull CLP)

Please get your union branch, organisation, Labour Party branch etc to support the lobby.

Please help mobilise! Back the lobby, organise transport from your town and get involved.

Email: nhsliaison@yahoo.co.uk.

Model motion calling for support for the Lobby of Labour Party Conference Lobby the Labour Party: Rebuild the NHS!

Believes:
1.That while Andy Burnham has pledged to repeal the Health and Social Care Act if he becomes Health Secretary , Labour has not given a clear pledge to repeal the Act, let alone reverse the damage done and rebuild the NHS.
2.That it is vital that the labour movement fights to get a clear promise from the Labour Party on this matter: both as a goal in itself and because it will make the Tory Liberal coalition vandalism of the NHS more difficult.

Notes:

1.That the NHS Liaison Committee to Save the NHS, which is backed by a range of trade union organisations, local NHS campaigns and figures including John McDonnell MP, is calling for a lobby of Labour Party conference in the Autumn. Plans are already underway and all planning is open to all wishing to take part.

Resolves:

1. To formally support and sponsor the lobby.
2. To advertise it in our publicity, and encourage people to join the lobby,
3. To bring this lobby to the attention of any relevant organisations that we have links with.
4. To book xx tickets on the coach to the lobby. [*]

* Please check with 07796 690 874 for the latest details of where coaches are booked.

Demands of the lobby:

• Labour should state clearly that it is for a return to the founding principle: Healthcare for all free at the point of need.
• A clear pledge to repeal the Con/Dems Health and Social Care Act.
• Business out of the NHS: reverse privatisation and outsourcing at every level.
• End PFI and liberate the NHS from extortionate PFI charges.
• Healthcare provision to meet needs; not overgrown bureaucracy: abolish the internal market.
• Tax the rich to rebuild the NHS and fund quality provision for all.

Please adapt this text to your organisation.

Demonstrations on 15 September

Save South London Hospitals!

15 September, 2012 – 13:00 – 15:00

General Gordon Square, Central Woolwich. Opposite Woolwich Arsenal Train & DLR Station and bus stops.

Government refusal to adequately fund South London Healthcare Trust has resulted in it being placed in administration. This threatens Queen Elizabeth in Woolwich, Queen Mary’s in Sidcup and The Princess Royal in Bromley with privatisation, closures, mergers and hiving off of services. We must demand that all health care services and hospitals in Greenwich, Bexley, Sidcup and Bromley are adequately funded.
On Saturday 15th September we want to bring together staff, patients, local residents and campaigners in defence of South London Hospitals.

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Defend NW London Health Services!

15 September, 2012 – 12:00 – 16:00

Assemble 12 noon at Harlesden Jubilee Clock; march via Stonebridge Hub (1pm) to Central Middlesex Hospital

Contact mafran@globalnet.co.uk

www.brentfightback.blogspot.co.uk

www.wembleymatters.blogspot.co.uk.

Protest at Capita, 13 July

The NHS Liaison Network is protesting against the threat, under the Health and Social Care Act, to hand over more and more bits of the Health Service to Capita and other profit-greedy “outsourcing” companies. Join us on Friday 13 July, from 17:30 to 18:30, at the Capita office at 71 Victoria St, London SW1H 0XA.

NHS Liaison Network meeting

7 July, 2012 – 15:30 – 17:30. Unite HQ, 128 Theobalds Rd, London WC1X 8TN. Email nhsliaison@yahoo.co.uk for more details.

“NHS Unity” newsletter

The NHS Liaison Network, of which Health Alarm is part, has published its first newsletter. Click here to download it as pdf.

Health Alarm protests at “Care UK”

On 30 May Health Alarm protested outside the London office of Care UK, the private health firm whose boss John Nash gave Andrew Lansley £21,000 in opposition to help him prepare for the marketisation of the NHS under the Health and Social Care Act.