The NHS saved my life when I almost died in child birth and so I owe it to the NHS to fight for its protection.
This Bill is an important attempt to restore a publicly-run NHS by: rolling back the coalition’s pro-privatisation agenda; exempting the NHS from TTIP; and restoring the responsibility to the secretary of state for health to provide a comprehensive health service, free at the point of delivery and prevents foundation trusts from prioritising private income at the expense of NHS patients.
I consider that the NHS has been the UK’s ‘jewel in the crown’ when it comes to shaping the sort of civilised society I, and I believe you, would want to live in. I want to see more integration within health and social care so that we can provide ‘whole-person’ care at every stage of a person’s life. Compare that to the coalition who are happy to fragment services and parcel them up for privatisation for the benefit of shareholder profits of the private healthcare companies.
But actions speak louder than words and I am pleased to advise you that, along with my union Unite and other activists from the health unions, I shall be supporting the candle-lit vigil opposite the House of Commons tonight.
Clive Efford’s bill is an important step on the journey to protect the NHS. However, unless we ensure the return of a Labour Government next year, I fear for the very existence of the NHS. I would ask you to consider carefully how you might make that victory more likely. Please feel free to contact me to discuss this further."
This evening I attended the vigil to see passionate members of the public and Unite the Union members taking action to save the NHS.
