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.

What if you don't have (can't 'afford') a balanced diet?

Sorry, but that's a daft question. A balanced diet is a lot cheaper than stuffing yourself full of expensive pills.

does it really matter if the service is provided by a company and not the state service?
Just asking....

It's the quality of service that's important. Isn't it?

Fair point. Differentiate private Health Care and NHS Healthcare quality?

Fair point. Differentiate private Health Care and NHS Healthcare quality?

... and the NHS should not be dismantled or sold off...

Fair point. Differentiate private Health Care and NHS Healthcare quality?

It's the quality of service that's important. Isn't it?

Yes, look at the quality and efficiency experienced in private elderly care homes. NHS services via private care coming to a town near you! We might need some more immigrants, mind, I doubt the locals will work for the wages - not with these house prices.

Fair point. Differentiate private Health Care and NHS Healthcare quality?

Helpful link to the BBC News item that Squelchy is apparently quoting from, so others can read it.

As posted by my good self above!! (Post 35)

Deleted (NWNREADER has already provided the link to Squelchy's source).

As edited before you posted in humble recognition of that fact.

Nope, this was my source..

Shame

Same story though.

Ah ok. However I prefer the BBC News to some tabloid web site.

Then of course we have the private companies carefully looking after our elderly and vulnerable patients so well?
Too many reports of abuse to posts links but I think you get the picture from all the news reports?

But again it is all down to the problem of making a profit from Health Care.

There are very few NHS/Local Authority care homes, and the monitoring funding is way too low.

Also, there is a social issue on why families do not care for their elderly members......

But that is where the government want to put the NHS without asking the electorate,

It almost looks as if they are trying to roll back to the Tory 1945 view. Essentially, Beverage lite, a pseudo universal health care system based on local provision topped up by friendly societies for the 'nice to have' bits. Wonder what our man from Brimpton (Nye Bevan) would make of it?

well, if the electorate want every single item of healthcare to be free to the patient then the taxes will have to increase to fund that open-ended spend.

Is the wish to have the State decide how the elderly should be cared for, or for the extended family to take responsibility? Should the level of state care be subsistence, or higher?
Nothing is free, and everything the State supplies has to be paid for - service, buildings, equipment etc.....

I'm not sure the want and need has been cross-referenced.