Keep our NHS Public (Norfolk) and local anti-cuts campaigns – with TU support – will demonstrate in the constituency of Lib-Dem health minister Norman Lamb MP. Everyone is invited to join this demo – perhaps the last chance for a major action before decisions on NHS privatisation.
Organisers are asking for support from across the Eastern region, plus London and beyond if possible! The event is gathering momentum: UNISON is informing all its members in the Eastern region.
Constituents and NHS supporters will gather at 12 noon at the Market Cross in North Walsham, in Lamb’s North Norfolk constituency. (See attached leaflet with map for details:.‘Defend NHS’ North Walsham protest bw (2))
The event follows the growing campaign, locally and nationally, against Section 75 of the regulations for the Health and Social Care Act. Section 75, according to many health professionals and their organisations, will: “force virtually every part of the English NHS to be opened up to the private sector”. The regulations will become law on 1st April unless MPs insist on a debate and vote them down.
North Norfolk constituents are urging Norman Lamb MP to publicly reject privatisation proposals, and to urge Lib-Dem Lords to reject Regulation 75 and to take whatever action is necessary.
The call for the demo arose from a meeting organised by Norfolk Coalition Against the Cuts, in Norwich on Saturday 2 March, which highlighted the devastating local impact* of austerity policies. Representatives from numerous Norfolk organisations including Norfolk Coalition of Disabled People, Keep our NHS Public (Norfolk), and the National Pensioners’ Convention (Eastern region) unanimously backed the demo.
The protest will also highlight the attacks on local health services arising from government cuts in funds to health trusts and local government. The Norfolk and Suffolk Mental Health Trust is planning 500+ redundancies of clinical staff as a way of managing the 20% cut in its funding from central government.
* For example, see http://www.norfolkcan.org.uk/
Further information:
Trevor Phillips:
Norfolk Coalition Against the Cuts
07794 690322
NCAC website: www.
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