Brent demonstrators outside Burnley GP Practice condemn US takeover - it's OUR NHS!

Photo: Amanda Rose

 

Photo: Martin Francis

 

Photo: Amanda Rose

Photo: Martin Francis

 

There was a good turnout today outside the Burnley GP Practice in the Willesden Centre.  The practice has recently been taken over by US private health conglomerate Centene along with two others in Brent and many in the rest of London.

The protesters were cross party and no party and included Cllr Janice Long an oustanding champion of the NHS.  The protest was part of national action by campaign group WeOwnIt  and organised as a local alternative for those who could not make it to Centene's national HQ in Central London. 

 

PETITIONING IN GLADSTONE PARK

 

 NHS Banner Photo: Anna Delazol

A demonstration and petitioning was also held in Gladstone Park for those unable to attend the event in Willesden.  One of the organisers said:

In one hour we met around 60 people. Some wondered why so little or nothing is in the news about the takeovers of GP practices by Operose and Centene. Others promised to sign the petition on ‘We Own It’ website. Some signed up to offer help in campaigning in the future. People were worried about the Integrating Care Systems proposals by the Tory Government to restructure the NHS in England. We should all be worried.

The protestors were joined by Cllr Shafique Choudhary.

                                                                                Cllr Choudhary Photo: Anna Delazol

Brent Trades Council organised a group to join the Central London demonstration outside Centene HQ.

 

Photo: Pete Firmin

Ken Livingstone added his name to the petition againstCentene takeovers of GP practices:

 

Brent Advocacy Concerns step in to fill the PIP advice gap

Brent Advocacy Concerns are still waiting for details of their future accommodation with GPs due to move into their space at Willesden Centre in April.

Meanwhile John Healy told me that they are very much in demand:

On resuming my voluntary work after the holiday, I felt overwhelmed by over 30 emails that needed replying too. My fellow trustees  have concentrated their efforts on sorting out our office move.

I have never experienced such demand with most of the requests being from disabled people needing help with claims for PIP (personal independence payments) or help with appealing their failed PIP claims.   

Brent council have awarded several contracts for providers to undertake this work but it seems to me that disabled people in Brent are either not aware of them or they cannot access them.

Brent voluntary organisations face crisis as NHS Estate's Market Rent policy is implemented

The NHS Estates programme is scheduled to be completed by June 2017, according to their website which will mean 6 or 7 Brent voluntary organisations providing back-up health services will be faced with paying market rents from April 2017.

Many will not be able to afford them and will be faced with finding new bases despite the Sustainability and Transformation Plan being based on collaboration enhanced by location in the same premises.

At a previous Scrutiny Meeting, it was reported that The Willesden Centre for Health and Care (with its PFI legacy) was "presenting a particular challenge" but the Brent CCG also reported "that plans were in place" to sort it out.  The CCG agreed to "detail in its commissioning intentions how it will use the Estates strategy to support and enable the voluntary sector" (Agenda item 5, NHS  Estate in Brent, 23/11/16.)

Brent Advocacy Concerns, one of the voluntary organisations affected, has approached Brent Healthwatch and Brent CVS for assistance, so far without success. 

Assurances had been given when I raised the issue previously that assistance would be given to voluntary organisation to enable them to be part of contracted services. access grants to enable them to be able to pay market rents, improve their financial viability or to share sessional space at centres.  So far none of these options have resulted in concrete proposals.

Brent Advocacy Concern meet tomorrow lunchtime with the shadow of closure hanging over them with little information on which to plan their future.