Now your MP has a chance to save it

On Friday 21 November a bill will be put before parliament that puts the brakes on the worst aspects of the government’s pro-privatisation, market driven NHS reforms – making it publicly accountable once more!

But we need your help to make sure that your MP votes and supports Labour MP Clive Efford’s National Health Service (Amended Duties and Powers) Bill.

1. Put pressure on your MP to vote: MPs are in their constituencies this week, why not pay yours a visit? Ring them or send an email. Find out where and when your MP holds their constituency surgery at theyworkforyou.com.
2. Backing the bill is not enough – make sure your MP commits to turn up to vote on the 21 November in the House of Commons
3. Sign the petition

Background
Despite David Cameron’s repeated promises of ‘no top down reorganisation’, the government’s Health and Social Care Act 2012 ushered in the biggest shake-up of the NHS in its history. It flung open the doors to increased privatisation and enforced competition; removed the Secretary of State’s duty to provide a comprehensive health service and has allowed Foundation Trusts to make even more money –up to 49 per cent of their income – from treating private paying patients. We would argue at the expense of NHS patient.

Download the briefing to get the facts.

Bristol Trades Union Council believes that the bill is a step in the right direction to building an NHS fit for the future. It seeks to change the most damaging aspects of the Health and Social Care Act by:

• Returning to the Secretary of State the responsibility to guarantee comprehensive healthcare provided free at the point of need.
• Putting patient care before private profit, protecting our NHS from the competition-led race to the bottom opened up in the Health and Social Care Act and EU competition law.
• Limiting the amount of income NHS trusts can make from private patients, ensuring NHS patients are not forced to the back of the queue behind paying customers.
• Giving parliament sovereignty over the NHS so that any future treaties or trade agreements would have to be debated and voted on in Parliament before they can apply to the NHS.

Don’t accept excuses – senior Tories themselves admit that the £3 billion NHS shake-up has been their biggest mistake in government. Now is the time for MPs from across the political divide; Conservatives, Lib-Dems and Labour, to right this wrong.