Government continues to railroad through NHS plans
The government continued to railroad through its massive shakeup of the NHS, when its Health and Social Care Bill received its second reading in Parliament, despite widespread criticism for the plans. The Bill paves the way for turning the NHS into a profit-driven rather than patient-centred service. Branches and members are asked to get involved in the campaign to stop this from happening. See attached briefing HC-009-11 for more details.
Despite widespread criticism throughout the media and across the health care sector the government ploughed on with its NHS reforms. On Monday 31st January, MPs voted 321 to 235 to support the Health and Social Care Bill. UNISON staged a protest outside the Houses of Parliament on the day that the Bill received its second reading to ensure that MPs had a clear understanding of how healthcare workers feel about this destructive Bill. The views of UNISON and its members were publicised widely across the press and TV media including BBC and ITV news, and many members lobbied and emailed their MP at a local level. UNISON’s YouGov poll, received front page newspaper coverage - it was the first attempt to gauge national public opinion on the government’s plans and the responses backed our stance against the increased use of the private sector.
What happens next?
The Bill now goes to Committee Stage which could start as early as 8 February. During this stage, UNISON will use its influencing powers to attempt to remove some of the worst elements of the Bill, particularly those around putting profit and competition at the heart of the NHS and enabling private patients to be prioritised. The Bill is likely to complete its Committee Stage by the end of March, with its Report Stage debate therefore likely to take place in early April.
What can branches and members do?
We need all branches and members to intensify their campaigning around the Bill to raise awareness of the dangers it poses to the future of the NHS and build widespread support for UNISON’s campaign to defend it.
Continue to write and lobby your MP. If your MP voted for the Bill ask them why. A model letter can be found on the Our NHS Our Future microsite http://www.unison.org.uk/ournhs/docs_list.asp To find out who your MP is go here http://www.writetothem.com/ . Please let us know how your MP has responded by emailing ournhs@unison.co.uk . The most effective way of lobbying your MP is by going to see them in their constituency. We would like as many UNISON members as possible to visit their MPs in their constituencies. To find out more about lobbying MPs locally please read the UNISON Effective Campaigning Guide http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/19308.pdf
It has come to our attention that many Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs are merely reciting a government “myth buster” about the Bill in order to try to justify the reforms. In response to this, we have prepared our own UNISON document to counter these charges, which can be found here http://www.unison.org.uk/file/Health%20and%20Social%20Care%20Bill%20-%20rebutting%20the%20rebuttals.pdf
Hold local action to demonstrate how you feel about the health Bill. Ideas include “Don’t rip the heart out of the NHS!” Make sure you inform the local press about your actions. Send any press or photos of your actions to ournhs@unison.co.uk
Inform your local press about the impact the reforms could have at a local level. Model letters can be obtained by emailing ournhs@unison.co.uk
Encourage as many members as possible to attend the March for the Alternative on Saturday 26th March in central London. To find out more go here http://www.unison.org.uk/26march/
