Crutches Cracking

British Medical Association's 2017 Message

Dr Mark Porter leader of the BMA gave a grim New Year message to the NHS saying Sustainability & Transformation Plans had  “revealed a health service that is in fact unsustainable without urgent further investment, and with little capacity to ‘transform’ in any meaningful way other than by closing services on a drastic scale”. He explained that the BMA considered that the draft STPs failed to meet its objectives of being realistic and properly funded and prioritising patient care, and predicted that they would lead to £26bn health and social care cuts. He added: “STPs are meant to bring health and social care together, and in a grim kind of way they do. It is clear from many STPs that each is desperately trying to prop up the other, their crutches cracking under the weight.” NHS Improvement has also already warned that the requests for new capital in the STPs "exceed what is available". BMA: STPs lack meaningful transformation other than 'drastic' service ...

Save Our Hospitals Saturday Stall & Brainstorm

SOH will be delivering its own New Year Message to the people of Fulham on the first SOH stall of 2017 - we'll be going to a nearby café afterwards to informally brainstorm campaign ideas, feel free to join us for all or part of the afternoon..

SOH Saturday Stall Sat 21st Jan  2 - 4pm North End Rd St John's Church  (southern end of North End Rd - facing the market on the paved area behind the church)

Insight into Hospital Crisis

For a powerful insight into the consequences of NHS underfunding check out the compelling TV documentary series, Hospital filmed at St Mary's and Charing Cross. So far looks like Imperial's subtle and compelling way of making the case for more resources for the NHS. Hospital, Episode 1: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b088rp75 - talking of media did you catch SOH press officer Jim on ITV condemning NHS cuts this week?

London Keep Our NHS Public Meeting

There's an opportunity to exchange news with campaigners from across London at this LKONP forum where the STPs and the NHS demo on 4th March will be discussed.

LKONP Tues 24th Jan 7pm Camden Town Hall Judd Street WC1H 9JE (nearest tubes Kings X or Euston)

Imperial NHS Board Meeting

We have the chance to congratulate Imperial on the TV series - and challenge them over hospital closure plans -  at their board meeting where questions from the public are allowed at the end. (Papers not yet published)

Imperial Board Meeting Wed 25th Jan 11.30 - 1 New Boardroom CX Hospital

Good to talk

Merril did a very successful briefing on the STPs to London Green party members last week

Anne & Gurj spoke against supporting the STP in a debate for Brent Central Labour party General Committee - vote unanimous

If your group would like a speaker please let us know. Equally if you've got some local health news / event do let us know., we'd be happy to publicise

Regards,
Anne Drinkell(SOH secretary)