The government’s plans to privatise and fragment our NHS are taking shape in Newbury.

Local doctors are forming a Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) for the area. They’re going to get new powers to decide what health services you and your neighbours are able to access and who provides them.

Whether it’s treatment for diabetes, skin conditions, a broken arm or depression, profit-hungry companies like Virgin Care and Serco are circling, ready to bid for contracts by promising to slash costs.

The doctors on your local CCG will be under pressure from the government to hand out contracts to private companies. That could put vital services at risk. But the last thing most doctors want is to carve up our NHS for private profit. Plus, the new CCG has a legal duty to listen to local people.

So right now, we’ve got a big chance to ask local doctors to use their new powers to protect our NHS, not privatise it. Together, we can make sure they hear from hundreds of local people as they make these crucial decisions.

Can you add your name to the petition to your local CCG now?
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/CCG-petition

Donations from 38 Degrees members have funded lawyers to prepare robust wording for CCGs to write into their constitutions - protecting our NHS from the worst risks of the government's plans.

If we can get in early, while CCGs are still being formed, we can give doctors a better choice - one based on sound legal advice and the interests of patients, not private companies.

38 Degrees members will be able to work together to persuade their local CCG to write these safeguards into their constitutions. The government and the private health industry probably won’t like it at all, but there’s little they can do to stop people power.

First things first. Can you add your name to the petition in Newbury?
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/CCG-petition

Anyone else concerned about the privatisation of Newbury District's health services?

Why are the government doing this?

Why are the government doing this?

Because they believe the NHS is inefficient and some of its services can he supplied by the private sector at a lower cost.

And yes, some of their mates will make a mint.

So MPs and Lords with financial interest in private health care were allowed to vote for the Health and Social Care bill?

Probably but they must 'declare an interest'. If they don't, they could get told off.

I don't know what you're on about regarding privatisation, from what I can see the PCT's are just becoming more involved with a local panel of people directly involved in patient services at the sharp end. Sounds brilliant.

who would you rather dispense minor care - Boots or WBC?

I don't doubt their pharmacy department, but Boots do stock a load of quack medicines like vitamin supplements. (As any sensible person knows, you get all the vitamins and minerals you need from a balanced diet - unless a doctor prescribes something for a genuine deficiency.)

Remember the pledge he made before the election - There will be no top down reorganisation of the NHS!

I do, so it is not just Clegg that is guilty of lying.

Lets be honest, if push came to shove- who would you rather dispense minor care - Boots or WBC?

I wonder if it'll be like privatising the railways where the tax payer will continue to under pin it?

I can't see anything bad, this just seems like a good all round idea.