Minutes_20100621

Draft Minutes of DWHC Meeting 21st Jun 2010

1. Present

Shirley Franklin, Angela Sinclair, Caspar Woolley, Ian Shacklock, Rich Moth, Jem Lindon, Caroline Taleb, Patty Pitman, Rhiannon Evans, Katy Gold, Sheila Patton, Carol Cameron, Tom Foot, J.C.

2. Apologies

Emma Dixon, Mick Gilgunn, Janet Burgess, Jeremy Corbyn, Alice Kilroy

3. Mins of last Mtg

(7th June). 4 people attended last meeting. Main topic was future events.

4. Cuts in “non-urgent” hospital procedures

Shirley disclosed some new local policies for cutting back on so-called low priority treatments. Examples include tonsillectomy, wisdom tooth removal, and it was felt that women in particular would be adversely affected. The likely impact is that a lot of people in discomfort will no longer qualify automatically for treatment and they will need to fight hard for their case. Another likely impact is that certain patients will seek treatment in the private sector.

5. Cuts in Mental Health Care.

On 15th June there was a Governors Meeting of the Camden & Islington NHS Foundation Trust. Shirley had attended this meeting and she reported on her observations. This led to an open discussion on the wisdom and impact of the new policies. She identified the recent closure of St Luke’s (28 beds); mental health provision transferred to Highgate. Allegedly there is an under-occupancy of beds, but this doesn’t necessarily reflect a reduction in demand, because stricter criteria are being applied prior to admission. (Typically patients need to be sectioned under the mental health act before they can be admitted). Jacky Drury (Head of Islington Mental Health services) must make savings of £5M. To help achieve this, there is a freeze on vacancies and use of agency staff, patients will be discharged sooner and will spend shorter periods in hospital. More responsibility will pass on to [untrained] carers. Inevitably staff morale is threatened, and staff turnover has increased. These cutbacks seem to overlook the facts that Islington has a very high suicide rate (exacerbated by the economic crisis), that the borough hosts two major prisons (where 90% of inmates suffer mental health problems) and that there are already waiting lists for treatment. Note – these cuts will also affect sufferers of Alzheimer’s disease.

6. Budget Day Protest

Leaflets have been printed and handed out. The meeting thanked Rich, Jem and Katy for their efforts. Two separate events are planned: 12 noon to 1pm outside the Whittington Hospital, then 6:30pm outside Islington Town Hall. Four stewards needed for the lunchtime event; precise arrangements yet to be determined because hospital Security will not allow any gatherings on the forecourt.

7. Islington Against the Cuts Coalition

Rich talked about the kick-off meeting, which was held on 10th June. Speakers included Catherine West, Rich Moth and Paul Blanden.

8. National Demo at Huntington.

DWHC will sponsor a coach to take protestors from North London to this event. Currently there is limited information on this demo, so we need to obtain or produce flyers, etc.

9. Treasurer’s Report:

Katy proposed a motion that, following the resignation of Zozi Goodman, the following additional people be empowered to sign cheques on the DWHC Coop Bank Account: Rich Moth and Jem Lindon. This was agreed. We have approx £600 in the bank, and there are a couple of outgoing cheques waiting to be cleared. Katy will ask Unison for another instalment of the £10k they had pledged.

10. Future events

22nd June. Budget Day in Parliament. Day of Protest in Islington.

1st July. Next meeting of Islington Against the Cuts Coalition. 7:30pm at the Italian Trade Union Centre

4th July. DAYMER event in Clissold Park. (Volunteers required to man a stall)

5th July. Next DWHC meeting. Maybe a public one, with Martin Klute, Jeremy Corbyn, Lynn Featherstone

10th July. National demo at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, Huntington.

19th July. DWHC meeting.