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From The Socialist newspaper, 17 January 2018
Lobby pushes Liverpool council to oppose privatisation
Save NHS demo, 4th march 2017, photo Paul Mattsson (Click to enlarge)
Roger Bannister, Liverpool Socialist Party
Around 70 people lobbied Liverpool council's 'Health and Wellbeing' board on 11 January to protest about 'accountable care' proposals.
Accountable care is the latest Tory plan to move towards privatisation of the NHS, where an accountable care organisation holds a long-term contract to oversee several health services, on a fixed budget.
Hospitals, GPs, district nurses, health visitors, care homes and home care would all be in one budget, and the contract could be run by an NHS trust, but is more likely to be run by companies like Virgin, or a private US-based healthcare company.
The majority of the protesters were members of the Merseyside Pensioners' Association, but they were joined by supporters of the Liverpool Against Cuts, pro-NHS campaigners, and several of the 'Liverpool 47' councillors, who defied Tory cuts in the city during the 1980s, in a lively protest.
50 of the protesters were allowed into the meeting, and Mayor Joe Anderson agreed to submit a resolution to the city council rejecting sustainability and transformation plans, accountable care systems and accountable care organisations.
This episode shows that pressure on councillors on NHS related matters can, and does achieve results.
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In The Socialist 17 January 2018:
Socialist Party news and analysis
Carillion crisis: demand action to save jobs and services
NHS crisis: under pressure from all angles - end cuts and sell-offs!
Victory! Trump's UK visit cancelled by fear of protests
What we think
Corbyn's Labour needs 100% anti-cuts strategy and fight for democracy
International socialist news and analysis
Tunisia: explosion of protests against government austerity
Stop repression in Hong Kong and China
Workplace news and analysis
RMT strikes against driver-only operation continue
Mini-strike wave continues and intensifies
Hackney school cleaners strike
PCS union 2018 elections - nominate the left slate for a continued fighting leadership
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
We must fight all council cuts!
No to the Woolwich monster block
Undercover policing legal challenge
Heating scandal on east London estate
Lobby pushes Liverpool council to oppose privatisation
Packed Newham meeting against academies
Socialist Party women's meeting brings together members to share experiences
Southern Socialist Party conference
Opinion
Opinion: foster care is work - carers deserve workers' rights
Opinion: British imperialism can take no credit in fight against Isis
Theatre: 'Young Marx' shows growth in great platform for his ideas
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