Guest blog by Pete Firmin, Chair Brent Trades Union Council
Sarah Cox wrote last week in the Brent and Kilburn Times about the consultation which NHS
North West London is carrying out into the future of health services across the
area. As she says, there is a strong feeling that this “consultation” is merely
window dressing for decisions which have already been taken, such as the
downgrading of several hospitals in the region, including Central Middlesex.
Central Middlesex has already lost its night-time Accident and Emergency service, an indication of
things to come.
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| Central Middlesex - soon to be down-graded despite recent investment? |
Although the Health Authority claims its proposals will improve services,
much of what they say is purely speculative – relying on new forms of health
services which are not yet in place without proposals (including financial) as
to how this will change.
Because of these serious worries about the future of the health service
across the region, the Trades Union Councils in the boroughs of Brent, Ealing
and Harrow are working together to build a campaign to ensure we have the health
services the people of the area need and not ones which managers and accountants
– let alone private health companies – think are appropriate.
We have commissioned a report from Dr John Lister of Health Emergency,
looking at the effects of the NHS’s proposals in detail, both in terms of the
loss of services and the effect on jobs in the NHS. This report will be launched
early in June, and Brent Trades Union Council is holding a public meeting on the
issues involved on Wednesday 13th June at Harlesden Methodist Church, 25 High
Street, NW10 4NE. As well as John Lister, speakers will be from the campaign
Keep Our NHS Public and the unions organising health workers. All are welcome,
and there will be plenty of time for discussion.
