image from Walthamstow ant-cuts protest on Saturday 19th February 2011.
A protest organised by Keep the NHS Public was held outside the BMA headquarters last night. The event was visited by around 40 die hard protesters including a number of medical students, who were gobsmacked by the proposals for the abolition of the PCT. I led the chants with my usual megaphone antics!
Students highlighted grave concerns that the training for doctors in this country - currently designed and coordinated by the NHS, would be placed into the hands of the private sector, reducing the quality and reciprocally doctor performance.
Many students were also concerned that the bursary that pays for the last 2 years of the course for British students on the 6 years medical course, might be scrapped!
In a tightly run debate in which discussion was limited and tension was high hundreds of doctor's voted to oppose the dastardly bill, that is seem by most as a stealth privatisation programme. Only 3 Doctors voted in favour of the bill!
Word spread quickly of the result and as Doctor's left the BMA headquarters they were met with cheers of praise and loud clapping. I led a chant that encouraged all those involved with the protest:
Thank you BMA -The NHS is here to stay! It seemed a small gesture then but a majot decison was made in the eerie halls of the BMA building.
Join us on our protest against the Equity and Excellence bill that threatens to decimate our beloved NHS.
Date: 26th February 2011
Time: 12:00
Start: North Carriage Drive entrance to Hyde Park
End: 10 Downing Street
Speakers include:
Rabia Zia - Pakistan-e-Tehreek Insaaf
Dr Ron Singer - Medical Practitioner Union Rep for Unite a role which he represents with Keep the NHS Public and the British Medical Association
Derek Wall - Former Principal of the Green Party
Romayne Phoenix - Chair of Coalition of resistence
Bob Archer - NUT
Barry Cross - Keep Our NHS Public
Upkar Rai - British Sikh Council
Wilson Chowdhry - British Pakistani Christian Association
Please sign our essential on-line petition:
http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/handsoffournhs
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