The Socialist 22 October 2014

Priced out? Strike Back!

Priced out? Strike back!

100,000 march against cuts and for a wage rise

The unions' pay battle must continue

50 years of socialist ideas and workers' struggle

Where's our recovery?

Socialist change to halt climate change

A Freudian slip?

Undercover cops report - a whitewash

Them & Us

Ebola outbreak: one face of austerity

International day of action for abortion rights in Ireland

PCS members again show anti-austerity determination

"No Raise - No Rays!" - say radiographers

POA hospital workers join public sector strike wave

St Mungo's Broadway strikers stage 19 pickets

Care UK strikers lobby Miliband for public support

Sheffield green workers' unofficial walkout

WEA tutors' victory

Leicester council hits homeless hostel

Reckless Ukip circus

Anti-eviction success!

Save Bitterne walk-in centre!

Socialist Party "part of political landscape"

Local services suffer under Welsh Labour

Hedge fund owners will never blush

Private companies hold NHS to ransom

PO Box 1398, Enfield EN1 9GT

020 8988 8777

[email protected]

Link to this page: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/830/19553

Search the site	Printable version

Home | The Socialist 22 October 2014 | Join the Socialist Party

Subscribe | Donate | Audio | PDF | ebook

Save Bitterne walk-in centre!

The NHS has announced a six month 'temporary' closure of the Bitterne walk-in centre in Southampton. After trying to close it in 2010, we believe this is another attempt to close permanently a much used service.

Despite patients who visit the centre telling us it is usually very busy, the Trust is claiming that it is underused and suffering from staff shortages. They propose people should travel to the minor injuries unit at the Royal South Hants Hospital (RSH), phone NHS 111 or visit a pharmacist if they can't see their GP.

Opposition

For many who have difficulty travelling this will remove vital access to healthcare. In 2010 over 3,000 people signed a petition to oppose the closure. We need to fight to ensure the voice of local people is heard again.

We believe the real causes of this threat to local services is the funding cuts and privatisation of the NHS over recent years. If there are staff shortages then extra staff must be recruited immediately. If funds are short, then private contracts to companies like Care UK who run the RSH for profit, should be cancelled immediately and full funding to the NHS restored.