Archived event: THE FIGHT TO SAFEGUARD THE FUTURE OF OUR NHS
6-9pm
Brinkburn Community Centre
Professor Allyson Pollock is one of the foremost authorities on the health care system in the UK. She has a deep understanding of the original 1948 vision for a National Health Service, the limitations of that vision and the many "reforms" that it has been subject to since. On this, she has published many papers, articles and books. Professor Pollock is one of the architects of the NHS Reinstatement Bill (a parliamentary bill intended to reinstate the English NHS after it was principally abolished in 2012). She is one of five claimants (including Professor Stephen Hawking) who took the government to court in an attempt to stop the implementation of U.S. style Accountable Care Organisations in England.
It is partly because of the proximity of Professor Pollock's current base at Newcastle University, that we have felt able - and have been lucky enough - to persuade her to come to South Tyneside for one more public engagement. This is therefore a rare opportunity for people in South Tyneside, and it is a chance for anyone who cares about our vital health services - local and national - to find out what is really going on.
This will not be a dry academic lecture! There will be an accessible presentation (with slides and videos) outlining the origins of the NHS, how it has been transformed, and the driving forces behind these changes. Most importantly, there will be time for a discussion, where you can get quality comprehensive answers to your questions about related local and national issues.
You might like to ask about the changes to health services in South Tyneside and Sunderland, comparing the official perspective of the so called “Path to Excellence” with the analysis and context given by Professor Pollock. Perhaps you have had a bad experience with social care, mental health or other services, and want to better understand why some services are dysfunctional. You might want to ask about the extra money the government is supposedly putting into the health service, or following President Trump's recent comments, you may want to know why the U.S.A. is interested in our health service.
You don't have to be very old to remember a time when most towns in England with a general hospital did not have a campaign fighting for the retention of vital health services. This event is your chance to join-the-dots and really understand why South Tyneside - like so many other places - has this campaign to save its local hospital, and to find out how you can help.
The entrance to Brinkburn Community Centre is off Harton Lane. If you have not been to the Brinkburn Community Centre before, be aware that the entrance is easy to miss. The centre has ample free parking.
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- Under The Knife
- Protest on the day that South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Trust close SCBU, full maternity and 24/7 children's A&E
- THE FIGHT TO SAFEGUARD THE FUTURE OF OUR NHS A discussion with Professor Allyson Pollock
- Eve of Court Battle - Protest Vigil
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- NHS 70th Anniversary Celebration
- LAfFalAnG Comedy Fundraiser
- Regional March and Rally 2018
- Protest lobby on day that South Tyneside and Sunderland CCGs make decision on future of children's A&E, maternity and stoke services
- Lunchtime Protest - HANDS OFF OUR HOSPITAL
- South Tyneside March and Rally 2017
- Hedworthfield public meeting, with guest speaker Professor Allyson Pollock
- Health Campaigns Together - National March and Rally 2017
- Regional March and Rally 2017
- First March and Rally to Defend Our Hospital and NHS
- NHS 68th Anniversary Vigil