Tyneside to protest against A&E and walk-in cuts

National 'save our NHS' demo, 4.3.17, photo Mary Finch (Click to enlarge)

William Jarrett, North Tyneside Socialist Party

Two NHS walk-in centres, and night-time A&E services at North Tyneside General Hospital, face closure. 'Save North Tyneside NHS' is holding a public protest and rally against these threats on 2 December.

The campaign formed in November 2016, including Socialist Party members from its inception, after the clinical commissioning group (CCG) announced these cuts. Its pressure forced the CCG to reopen consultation on the closures.

It even exposed the CCG's chair, Dr John Matthews, as an open admirer of serial privatiser Richard Branson. Save North Tyneside NHS activists asked if Matthews was fulfilling his Hippocratic Oath by executing plans which harm patients.

Local health professionals have revealed serious failings in Northumbria NHS Trust to the campaign. There is increased time waiting for A&E treatment at the flagship facility in distant Cramlington, and a dangerous shortage of ambulance provision.

Present conditions could be disastrous over winter. Treatment waiting times at Cramlington on 24 November were reportedly up to six hours by midnight.

Local Labour MP Mary Glindon - who backed Blairite Owen Smith against Jeremy Corbyn's anti-austerity leadership - has wished the campaign well. She assures us North Tyneside's Labour council is doing all it can. But it's actions, not words, which matter.

Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell must instruct Labour councils to take a stand against austerity by refusing to sign off on 'sustainability and transformation plan' cuts programmes. Doing so could well collapse this divided Tory minority government.

The rally will start at 12 noon on 2 December, Bedford Street, North Shields town centre
Follow the campaign on Facebook at 'Save North Tyneside NHS' and Twitter @SaveNTNHS

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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.