The demonstration is in support of surgeries in Tower Hamlets as well as Newham and Hackney that are facing budget cuts and as a result they may be forced to close soon.
After the fantastic ‘Save Our Surgeries’ protest in Tower Hamlets on 5 June, join us on the 66th birthday of the NHS, to defend doctors’ surgeries wherever you live.
Show you care! Bring your family & friends to join the DEMONSTRATION
Assemble:11.45am, Saturday 5 July 2014
Stratford Station E15
Local and National Speakers
Nearest tube: Stratford
THE PROBLEM
Due to Government changes in the way that General Practice is funded some inner city and rural practices in England will suffer big budget cuts from April 2014. Minimum Practice Income Guarantee (MPIG) was brought in 2004 to ensure that practices in deprived areas with a high turnover of patients were adequately funded to deliver high quality General Practice services.
Newham ‘Save our Surgeries’ is concerned that many doctors surgeries in the borough are under threat of closure or cuts to their budgets due to government changes in the way that General Practice is funded. Among those that could be affected is Westbury Road medical practice off Green Street in Upton Park which the campiagn believes could be facing budget cuts.
To draw attention to government plans to phase out extra payments introduced in 2004 to surgeries in deprived areas with a high turnover of patients the campiagn has organised a rally and procession to take place on Saturday July 5 at Stratford station. at 11.30am, with a rally at noon. It will coincide with the birth of the NHS on July 5 1948 and is expected to inlcude politicians, health workers and GPs.
An open topped bus will then take campaigners down Green Street with leafleting on the way. The bus will go to Aftab Ali Park in Tower Hamlets and then to London Fields in Hackney. Hackney and Tower Hamlets are also expect to hold similar rallies.
Dr Ron Singer, a retired GP said: “Many GP practices in Newham will have their income reduced because the government has decided to make cuts in practice funding. Under a ‘Fair Share’ policy 98 practices in England holding national contracts – including some in Newham - will lose so much funding by having their Minimun Practice Income Guarantee (MPIG) removed that may have to close down.
“Which practices are threatened has not been revealed by NHS England which is adding to the anxiety felt by Newham practices. More funding cuts to practices which hold local contracts are also threatened. Practices in Hackney and Tower Hamlets face similar cuts.”
THIS CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN! A THREAT TO ONE IS A THREAT TO ALL!