By yet another evasive written answer to a parliamentary question (see also ‘Some “jobsworth” from Health Minister Dr Dan Poulter”’) the Minister again appears to confirm that we do not have a “National” Health Service.

Our NHS is based on the principle that providers are paid to deliver NHS services from our taxation, not through charges which GPs and others may (indirectly) impose on us, e.g. by use of revenue sharing telephone numbers. The revisions to the GP contracts which came into effect from 1 April 2010 simply ensured that this principle could no longer be evaded.

Because Primary Care Trusts have failed to enforce the revised contractual terms, this evasion continues. The Secretary of State for Health was asked what action he was taking to address this continuing undermining of the NHS. The answer from his Minister was clear - “NOTHING”.

Compliance with the principles of our "National" Health Service is left to be decided by local officials. The policy being followed by NHS Kent and Medway (serving constituents of Tracey Crouch MP) leaves it to individual GPs, in consultation with their patients. This is not "our NHS".

This coverage of the issue of use of expensive telephone numbers for customer complaints and enquiries addressed the points effectively in a well produced piece. It was however flawed by some significant omissions and errors, which are covered in the briefing.
Supporters may wish to urge the BBC to take advantage of fair telecoms campaign briefings .

After a recent lack of success with one arm of the BBC (or as it is Pudsey, perhaps it should be one eye!) we are delighted to report a campaigning success for a supporter in relation to tickets for wheelchair users (no bad taste references to numbers of legs, please) wishing to attend the Sports Personality of the Year show.

This matter has been reported and discussed in this thread of the SayNoTo0870.com forum.

The media release (see above) attempts to draw attention to the relevance of this item to many others.

See our media release and briefing materials (above).
“In an adjournment debate in the House of Commons yesterday, John Healey MP made a strong case for the DWP to switch from 0845 to using 03 numbers. Responding for the government, DWP Minister of State Mark Hoban MP was unable to offer any meaningful objection.”

See the news release for details of how Gloucestershire NHS has finally moved into compliance with the Directions to NHS bodies of December 2009, whilst allowing its contracted GPs to remain in breach.

This detailed briefing has been prepared for the benefit of the relevant officers of the NHS Commissioning Board who are already taking on the responsibilities that they will formally assume from 1 April 2013, in place of PCTs.

We publish here our formal response to the BIS consultation referred to below

The document linked to above refers to how Pudsey has continued to get it wrong, despite guidance from the campaign. It refers to the earlier published news release.

This briefing contains all of the latest coverage in the Kent Messenger (multiple titles) as well as references to other materials, e.g. maps, lists of GPs, detailed briefings arguing the points.