healthcoalition+-+minutes+-+April12th+2010

__**Report of DHHS meeting, April 12th - at Hornsey Central Neighbourhood Centre.**__ Planning meeting on March 22nd was packed and enthusiastic. Over 85 attended; Frank, Christopher, Keith, Sue Secher and Janet were there. A day of action is planned for Thursday April 29th 12 noon – 2pm at main entrance to Whittington hospital. Speakers: Jackie Davis & Candy Udwin, later Kieran McGregor (Save Chase Farm Campaign) and Jeremy Corbyn MP. Lynne reported that she was collating personal stories of patient’s care at Whittington Hospital, and that she had tried to obtain firm information (FOI submitted) about the McKinsey report but without success. The Health Select Committee has just reported. (see later press release from BMJ)
 * Attendance**: Dave Morris (Haringey Fed’n of Residents Associations), Janet Shapiro (Better Local Healthcare Campaign), Chris Havell resident, Sally Mustoe, resident, Frank Jacobs Unison Health (Camden & Islington retired member), Linda Lennard (BLHC), Lynne Featherstone MP.
 * Apologies**: Anne Gray (Green Party), Keith Flett (Trades Council), Alan Woodward, Sue Secher, Kim Holt, Natasha Posner.
 * 1) **Introductions:** Everyone introduced themselves and the organisation (if any) they were representing. We had a new member, Sally Mustoe.
 * 2) The agenda was agreed.
 * 3) Minutes of last meeting were agreed. These had been circulated
 * 4) Matters arising: Janet promised to find out about Ofsted report of Haringey Children’s Services.
 * 5) **Whittington campaign and NCL review**
 * 1) **Report on April 10th National Demo** [] in defence of the welfare state and public services supported by DHHS. A good demo of over 10,000 people with wide range of speakers in Trafalgar Square: Dot Gibson (NPC), many Trade unions, BMA and Wendy Savage spoke. The RMT brass band and banners gave a carnival atmosphere. There was a good showing considering it was still school holiday.


 * 1) **Liaison with Unison staff at N Middx hospital.** Still no progress. Suggest we ask Kieran to help.

· The letter prepared by Anne has been delivered with individual addresses to all Haringey GPs. Thanks to Sue who addressed all by hand.
 * 6. GPs & Polysystems.**

1 The BMA campaign opposing privatisation has delivered excellent pamphlets and leaflets to all GPs intended for patients see [|____http://lookafterournhs.org.uk____]. All should ask GPs to see this material displayed. DHHS should get the booklets.

2 Polysystems: We will have only 3 polyclinics in Haringey. HCNC, Lordship Lane and the Laurels. Frank reported that progress in defending Finsbury Health Centre in Islington from closure is on hold, since both the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Government minister are in purdah. It was noted that this clinic was in fact a polyclinic, and our opposition is to centralisation, privatisation and cuts, not to the principle of clinics. Linda offered to investigate what was proposed in polysystems.

1. **Whistleblower**

Dr Kim Holt had intended to come. Kim had liaised with the baby clinic at St Ann s while working at Great Ormond St Hospital, (GOS has the contract from NHSHaringey) She had reported that the staffing at St Ann's was inadequate for safety. This was before the Baby P tragedy. She was dismissed and not re-instated. We shall ask Kim how best to support her and redress the situation without merely transferring staff rather than providing extra staff and expertise. Janet noted that St Ann’s has the only rehabilitation beds in Haringey.

1 Public meeting for Carers 11 am – 1pm April 30th, Sue Hessel (HFRA), Middle lane Methodist Church Hall. The specimen list of questions for candidates prepared by Keep Our NHS Public [|____http://www.keepournhspublic.com____] should be sent to all supporters. The questions are appended.
 * 8. Elections** People should attend and take campaign material to local meetings:
 * ·** MH&HFOE, HICAN and MH&HPAG local Hustings on April 26th.


 * 9. Web-site**. Decided that we request that minutes and details of meeting to be posted. Also to include the other meetings announced above.


 * 10. Finance**: Unison has donated £100 and the HFRA £175 - that covers costs owed for past printing, but leaves us with none for the future. BLHC offered to donate £50.

· Note 19th May Public meeting on Public services at the Big Green Bookshop 1 Request for expert opinion on GP health records. Let Janet know of speaker against such records. 2 Accountability issue still not raised.
 * 11. Date of next meeting** is 17th May 7.30pm subject to availability.
 * 12. AOB**