Labour Party calls public meeting on NHS reforms

The meeting, scheduled for 7-30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 27th, will give concerned members of the public a chance to hear specialist speakers and debate the way forward for the health service.

Speakers include Tim Ellis, Unison’s regional organiser in the Health Service; Mike Ions, a GP and chairman of East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group; Craig Simpson, a learning disabilities support worker; and a yet to be confirmed speaker from the Equality Trust, the independent, evidence-based campaign working to improve the quality of life in the UK.

The meeting, organised by Pendle Labour Party, comes in the wake of enormous public disquiet over the Government’s plans for the NHS.

Tim Ellis said: “The Government’s so-called health service reforms have caused confusion and significant suspicion. This public meeting has been called so people can hear for themselves from people who work in the NHS.

“People care deeply about the NHS and social care. They understand that people who work in the NHS don’t have a career in health because they want to make money – it’s because they want to make a difference. That’s why talk of competition and the “marketisation” of the NHS is so distrusted.”

“I see the NHS as the jewel in the crown of British society – it’s admired the world over and is seen as a benchmark for a decent society. That’s why I’m deeply worried about the NHS facing £20 billion worth of cuts, social care being run down, home care being cut and a top-down reorganisation that will see five tiers of management.”