"We will defend the NHS against privatisation" say unions. "We will help" say politicians.
"No you won't" says the IMF

Last month the big unions organising members in the heatlh service successfully moved a resolution at the TUC conference entitled "Defending the NHS".

The resolution reflected enormous pressure from front-line health workers faced with a tsunami of New Labour privatisation measures. Moved by UNISON, with the support of UNITE it called for the reactivation of the NHS Together campaign (involving all the health unions) and a moratorium on any further use of private companies in healthcare delivery.

The looming election and the necessity for Labour for support from the major unions, prompted Health Minister Andy Burnham to state that the NHS is the government's "preferred provider". Tories and Liberals likewise say the NHS will be protected.

IMF demands NHS privatisation

But the recent intervention of the International Monetary Fund demanding the UK cut costs in healthcare (and pensions) to pay off a forecast £200bn public sector debt means politicians' protestations that they will defend the NHS must be examined very sceptically.

The IMF's agenda is for privatisation of the health service - and many politicians' agendas (sadly) are to make promises until re-elected.

We will need a powerful campaign, organised nationally and locally, with strong alliances in the trade unions, patients', community and pensioners' groups, and with politicians committed to public services to successfully defend the NHS over the next few years.

The health unions must put their resources where their mouth is, and carry out the TUC resolution - in partnership with campaigns like Keep Our NHS Public - we can reach the parts of the community they can't reach.

PCTs must end private contracts

Following Andy Burnham's announcement of the NHS as the government's preferred provider, we urge all local KONP groups and health campaigners to demand their local PCT stop signing contracts with private companies now.

Lobby your local Health Scrutiny Committee (find out where and when it meets on your local council's website)
Lobby your local Primary Care Trust Board (find out where and when they meet on their website)
Lobby your local MPs (remember, there is an election coming up next year - find your local MPs at www.writetothem.com).
Organise public meetings and tell public and patients what is happening - sign up the people who come to Keep Our NHS Public and start spreading the word.

Stop PCTs renewing ISTC contracts - now

Independent Sector Treatment Centre contracts are ending now. If you have a local ISTC, demand your PCT does not renew.

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