The Coalition government is having a hard time of it lately (queue a loud “ahhh” from everyone). If the Lords aren’t beating them up over their disgraceful Welfare Reform Bill then they are getting all awkward over the disgraceful NHS “reforms”. Due to a rather inactive opposition the weak link in the chain has actually been the Liberal Democrats rather than Labour who, up until this point had been rather loyal to their new overlords, or Coalition Partners as Nick Clegg likes to describe them.
Two key Liberal Democrat MPs in London are Lynne Featherstone and Simon Hughes and campaigners have been raising the temperature in their constituencies to make more noise over the health reforms.
Today members of Defend Haringey Health Services Coalition in Featherstone’s constituency, Hornsey and Wood Green, paid her a visit at her surgery to ask her what her plans were around the health reforms.
They left disappointed with Featherstone reaffirming her commitment to the Coalition plans. The Lib Dem MP said that it was impossible for her party to eliminate competition in the health service and that while they were improving the bill in the House of Lords she would continue to support its general thrust.
In June last year the MP wrote that “The Bill is now a whole lot better and will make sure decisions are taken in the best interests of patients… But this is no time for resting on our laurels. The NHS still faces huge challenges, with an ageing population and the rising costs of new drugs and technologies. I am confident the NHS is now in better shape to meet those challenges.”
Those petitioning outside her surgery did not share her optimism. Janet Shapiro, who met with Featherstone, said that “I think they have to scrap the bill as it creates layers of bureaucracy and other commissioning bodies, creating systems that just won’t work.” She pointed out that there were a “whole host of professional bodies” that opposed these moves including the trade unions and the BMA.
One protester, Gordon, felt that we had to “stop the destruction of the NHS which is happening now, but these moves will accelerate the process.”
Another campaigner, Astrid, said that “the government is bringing about these changes, but it has nothing to do with efficiency and everything to do with privatising services. The Tories have wanted to do this for a long time and this is there big chance.”
The protesters clearly felt that this was an issue of equality with one, Piers, stating that “we’re speaking for the 99%” echoing the slogans around the Occupy Movement.
Organisations like Keep Our NHS Public have been arguing that the proposals will break up the NHS and allow more space for market led reforms and privatisation. Certainly it’s clear that GPs are opposing the reforms which would put them at the center of commissioning in the NHS. They argue that doctors should be freed up to work with patients rather than bogged down in marketing, admin and dealing with drug companies.
There is a further lobby of Simon Hughes later in the month on Saturday 25 February from 10-12 noon at his Constituency Office, 4 Market Place, SE16 3UQ (Bermondsey Tube). There is also a major trade union march at the beginning of next month to oppose these proposals.
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