UK-wide NHS campaign continues to Cardiff
To mark 65 years since the passing of NHS founder Aneurin Bevan, activism collective 'Hive Mind Speaks' has begun an ambitious UK-wide campaign
To mark 65 years since the passing of NHS founder Aneurin Bevan, activism collective 'Hive Mind Speaks' has begun an ambitious UK-wide campaign.
The group will visit 65 locations, asking the public 3 questions about the future of the NHS in an attempt to gather "real opinions from real people".
The campaign culminates on Saturday 12 April at a Citizens’ Jury hosted at South Bank University, where figures will respond to the public’s views and the results will be presented to Health Minister Wes Streeting.
The 3 questions posed to the public:
1) Should the NHS spending be legally protected with a minimum percentage of GDP?
2) Should NHS funding priorities be decided by an independent health body rather than by politicians to ensure long-term stability and prevent short term political influence?
3) Should the NHS renew or cancel all current privatisation contracts when they next come up for renewal?
From these three, the public will determine what they think is the most important issue and question for deliberation at the citizens jury.
How Does the Citizen’s Jury Work?
A representative panel of jurors will hear from speakers on the current state of the NHS.
The expert speakers include Aneira Thomas- the first ever baby born under the NHS, Professor Gwyn Bevan- Emeritus Professor of Policy Analysis at London School of Economics and Dr. Bob Gill- current practicing GP.
The results of citizens jury deliberation will be fed into the NHS' Change campaign.
A campaign to canvas public opinion over the next 10 years for implementing change as part of the 10 year health plan, resulting from the government's Lord Darzi report commission.
Hive Mind Speaks Founder and artist, Red Jay, says:
“NHS65 is about capturing the voice of the people who use the NHS, not the politicians and listening to what they believe should be done.
"People should get involved to talk about what is most critical to them based on their experience using the NHS, knowing it will get considered for deliberation in our citizens' jury.
"I hope that the results of our findings will be considered by Wes Streeting and the department of health, when they make their plans for future sustainability.”
The tour continues from South Wales to the North West of England then to Scotland, continuing to finish back in London for the Citizen's Jury.