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Latest news on the Health and Social Care Bill 02/06/11

Summary:

Over the past week, the pressure has been rising on the Tory-led government over its Health and Social Care Bill, but it is crucial that we really ramp up opposition to the government's plans. A vital part of that opposition will be planning crucial campaign activities around the third reading of the Bill and the NHS birthday on the 5 July 2011 to mobilise members and the local community. See below for further details

In full:

What is happening with the Health and Social Care Bill?

The ‘listening' exercise will formally finish on 31 May and we are expecting the Future Forum panel to make its recommendation to government in the first week of June. It is then expected that the Health and Social Care Bill will receive its third reading in the House of Commons at some point in June. Whilst a date is not fixed at the moment we need to be ready to mobilise around the third reading and ensure that the day does not go unmarked.

Day of the third reading

The union is asking branches across the UK, working with other staff side unions, patient groups and campaigning organisations, to hold local activities around the third reading of the Bill to mark the significance of this date. This could include holding a local candle lit vigil at a significant NHS location in your area e.g. at a hospital, outside PCT or SHA offices, holding a workplace meeting or setting up a stall on your high street. Every activity is essential to protect our NHS and mark this day. Please refer to UNISON's Effective Campaigning guide www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/19308.pdf to find out more about planning your activity, lobbying or press work. As soon as the date is known, UNISON will publicise it to branches via circulars and regional contacts.

What happens after the third reading?

The Bill will then move to the House of Lords. On the 5 July it is also the 63 birthday of the NHS and we are asking that branches hold a ‘birthday party' for the NHS celebrating why it matters so much to people. Involve the local community, invite MPs and other influential people to your party and make sure people understand why we are determined to defend and protect the NHS from the damaging changes planned by the government. It is Our NHS and Our Future and we must fight for it.

The False Economy website http://www.falseeconomy.org.uk will feature all the events, so if you are looking to find out what is happening in your local area then keep an eye on the site. Similarly, if you are organising an event, please upload details onto the False Economy website.

The UNISON web page www.unison.org.uk/ournhs/docs_list.asp shows resources currently available to download including films, model petitions, PowerPoints, Frequently Asked Questions about campaigning activities around the NHS, campaigning leaflets and posters.

To help support your activities, UNISON has also produced a range of materials. E-mail stockorders@unison.co.uk to place an order for any of the following:

What you can do:-