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Public Services for All > Published by H Lownsbrough, August 18th 2010 at 12:25 pm

Thousands come together to stand up for the NHS

In just a few days, more than 2,000 38 Degrees members have come together to share their stories of what they value about the NHS. They’re concerned about the Coalition’s plans for the health service, including privitisation of services and layoffs of huge numbers of NHS staff.

With media coverage of the NHS focusing on the negative, 38 Degrees members decided it was time to correct the balance with a view positive stories of their own. You can read the stories here – http://www.38degrees.org.uk/share-your-NHS-stories/

NHS

38 Degrees member Joanne explains:

“I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at age 29, my local NHS have been simply wonderful supporting me through it all. We can’t let a fantastic service like this be eroded by back door privatisation.”

Others value the security that the NHS gives over a lifetime, like 38 Degrees member Gordon:

“I am 55, and I know that whatever happens to me in my last few decades, I will always be well cared for, and with no worries whatsoever about what it will all cost. And this applies to every single person in our country, not just those of us who can afford it.“

All over the map, which has comments drawn from almost every part of the UK, 38 Degrees activists are also clear about their political worries for the NHS. Paul, from London, says:

“I am very concerned for the future of the services provided as part NHS. The prospect of this current coalition government forcing through drastic ideologically driven cuts under the mask of ‘essential spending reduction’ is a real worry.”

The Coalition is planning to move fast – legislation is expected before the end of the year. But those opposing the plans are moving quickly too. With thousands of people across the country opposing the reform of the NHS, forcing through these changes to the NHS may prove to be a step too far for the new Coalition.

• Stand up for the NHS by adding your voice here:-

http://www.38degrees.org.uk/share-your-NHS-stories/

http://twitter.com/tamsinchan/status/21482561086 Tam Chandler

RT @leftfootfwd: Thousands come together to stand up for the NHS: http://bit.ly/arTR6U @38_degrees #WeLoveTheNHS
http://twitter.com/johannatc/status/21482612480 Johanna Thomas-Corr

RT @leftfootfwd: Thousands come together to stand up for the NHS: http://bit.ly/arTR6U @38_degrees #WeLoveTheNHS
http://twitter.com/shamikdas/status/21482618245 Shamik Das

Thousands come together to stand up for the NHS: http://bit.ly/arTR6U @38_degrees #WeLoveTheNHS @leftfootfwd
Neil Foster

My wife works for the NHS and every day I hear of the difference she and her colleagues makes. I’m so proud of our health service and don’t want to see it privatised through the backdoor by the Government.
http://twitter.com/acidfascists/status/21483020084 Acid Fascists

RT @leftfootfwd: Thousands come together to stand up for the NHS: http://bit.ly/arTR6U @38_degrees #WeLoveTheNHS
John Lees

Teh NHS is much loved but teh argument that goes. I was born in an NHS hospital so I owe it everything is idiotic. We should be grown up enough to look at how the NHS runs and improve it where there is not value for money. For instance some GPs are paid far too much – could be room for savings?
http://twitter.com/spitfirepilot1/status/21483134454 Chris Horner

RT @leftfootfwd: Thousands come together to stand up for the NHS: http://bit.ly/arTR6U @38_degrees #WeLoveTheNHS
http://twitter.com/ramnaslady/status/21483139579 ramnaslady

RT @leftfootfwd: Thousands come together to stand up for the NHS: http://bit.ly/arTR6U @38_degrees #WeLoveTheNHS
http://twitter.com/brucerisk/status/21483208088 bruce findlay

RT @leftfootfwd: Thousands come together to stand up for the NHS: http://bit.ly/arTR6U @38_degrees #WeLoveTheNHS
http://twitter.com/northerntuc/status/21483375620 Northern TUC

RT @leftfootfwd: Thousands come together to stand up for the NHS: http://bit.ly/arTR6U @38_degrees #WeLoveTheNHS
http://twitter.com/oli_wal/status/21484682752 Oli Wal

RT @leftfootfwd: Thousands come together to stand up for the NHS: http://bit.ly/arTR6U @38_degrees #WeLoveTheNHS
http://twitter.com/othertpa/status/21486737173 Other TaxPayers Alli

RT @leftfootfwd Thousands come together to stand up for the NHS: http://bit.ly/arTR6U @38_degrees #WeLoveTheNHS
http://twitter.com/mydavidcameron/status/21486822886 MyDavidCameron

RT @leftfootfwd Thousands come together to stand up for the NHS: http://bit.ly/arTR6U @38_degrees #WeLoveTheNHS
http://twitter.com/bevaniteellie/status/21486831005 Ellie Gellard

Fantastic. RT @leftfootfwd Thousands come together to stand up for the NHS: http://bit.ly/arTR6U @38_degrees #WeLoveTheNHS
http://twitter.com/keeffan/status/21486856746 Jason Mcintyre

RT @BevaniteEllie: Fantastic. RT @leftfootfwd Thousands come together to stand up for the NHS: http://bit.ly/arTR6U @38_degrees #WeLoveTheNHS
http://bestblogs.labourhome.org/2010/08/18/thousands-come-together-to-stand-up-for-the-nhs/ Thousands come together to stand up for the NHS « The best Labour blogs

[...] More… [...]
http://twitter.com/jenlewjen/status/21489851390 jen lewis

RT @mydavidcameron: RT @leftfootfwd Thousands come together to stand up for the NHS: http://bit.ly/arTR6U @38_degrees #WeLoveTheNHS
http://twitter.com/kevinrye/status/21494793482 kevinrye

RT @leftfootfwd: Thousands come together to stand up for the NHS: http://bit.ly/arTR6U @38_degrees #WeLoveTheNHS
Mr. Sensible

1 of the things I like is that you have, or had, the power to expect certain things from the NHS. I cannot believe the government’s getting rid of some of these guarantees.

And I cannot believe that the government wants to get GPs bogged down in administration, rather than treating patients.
Mike

Dont the Lib Dems understand NHS nurses DONT want to work for Private Companies
http://twitter.com/gemfountain/status/21569582981 Gemma Fountain

RT @leftfootfwd: Thousands come together to stand up for the NHS: http://bit.ly/arTR6U @38_degrees #WeLoveTheNHS
susan layton

The NHS has enabled me to still be alive today. I have never been a wellperson since childhood. But have always recieved an impartial service despite my many health issues in 2000 my heart began to fail a disaster with 4 young children over these past 10yrs i have had wonderful treatment which is keeping me alive. I am uninsurable what happens to us all if we cannot afford these back door privatisation which has been creeping in since the Thatcher government. Keep the NHS public free for all at their need.