Summer 2011 The green newspaper for Norwich Green Party Keep Our NHS Public he Green Party is campaigning against Government plans that Twill break up the NHS and allow private companies to take over NHS services. The Government is planning to get rid of Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) and put groups of GPs in charge of purchasing care from Switch to private companies and public health care providers. green energy Health care professionals have …at no extra raised many concerns about the Government’s Health and Social Care cost to you! Bill. In response to lobbying, the Above left: Adrian Ramsay, Green Party Deputy Leader, speaking at a recent Government has back-tracked on Norwich rally to protect public services from cuts and privatisation. Ecotricity offers you the chance to some aspects of the plans but the get electricity or gas from green following proposals still remain sources - and guarantees the same in place: left to cover the unprofitable work. Governments have brought in more price as your existing supplier. privatisation to the NHS – such as PFI • Privatisation: Private companies will • Quality of care: There will be The electricity is generated from be allowed to bid for NHS work. competition between private and schemes and internal markets – and clean, renewable sources and the This could result in private public health care providers as they these have resulted in billions of gas from low-carbon bio-gas. companies creaming off the most bid to supply services. This could pounds of extra costs.” If you sign up via the website profitable work, leaving the NHS mean that the cheapest services are Green Party Leader Caroline Lucas www.gpnorwich.co.uk under greater financial strain as it is provided, rather than the best MP said: “I will be scrutinising the Ecotricity will make a donation to quality for patient care. Private amendments to the legislation and Norwich Green Party (£40 for companies are likely to be driven by pushing for changes wherever electricity and £20 for gas). This is Norwich the profit motive, rather than the 18 possible, but my fear is that this Bill at no cost to you and the money City Council need to provide quality of care. is still rotten to the core – and will help fund Norwich Green Number of • Not a national service: This is the riddled with problems that have Party's campaigning activities. 15 councillors by biggest shake-up of the NHS since not been addressed.” party following You can also register its foundation in 1948. The NHS will the May 2011 For more information or to with Ecotricity by phone: become a market of competing election. support the campaign to private and public health care 08000 302 302 keep the NHS public see providers, rather than a single Please quote Norwich Green Party. www.keepournhspublic.com public health service. The Lib Dem Government will no longer have an 4 Cons obligation to ensure that comprehensive healthcare is Greens Oppose Dangerous Green Labour 2 available throughout the country. The Green Party is the Adrian Ramsay, Green Party Deputy Cuts to Care Inspections main opposition to the Leader, said: “The NHS should be reen Party Councillors are Green Councillor Stephen Little ruling Labour Cabinet at based on high quality patient care, not campaigning against said: “Whilst there are many market principles and private profits. Gplanned cuts to inspections excellent care providers working in City Hall. The Green Party Privatisation of NHS services is likely of Norfolk’s care homes. Norfolk Norfolk, the recent BBC Panorama increased its number of to reduce the quality of patient care. County Council is planning cuts of investigation into abuse in care seats to 15 at the local £180,000 to the Quality Assurance homes shows how important it is to “The Government claims these Service, which monitors the quality maintain regular inspections and election in May 2011. changes will save money. However, of social care in Norfolk. safeguard vulnerable residents.” previous Labour and Conservative Printed by Sharman and Company Limited, Newark Road, Peterborough, PE1 5TD. www.norwichgreenparty.org Promoted by Ben Duffy on behalf of Norwich Green Party, both c/o 27 Clarendon Road, Norwich, NR2 2PN. Summed Up Time for Dentistry 65 billion Reforms say Greens Scrap metal ...Amount (in £s) that collections NHS in England What are REASONABLE QUANTITIES OF will pay private your rights? SCRAP METAL WANTED companies for PFI Please call Roy on (01603) 811686 Everyone is entitled to dental A chance to clear out your garage at no hospital buildings treatment on the NHS. cost to you. This is a new initiative to that cost £11 billion Treatment is free for some increase recycling of scrap metal and people including children, the raise money for Norwich Green Party. to build. unemployed and pregnant Limited capacity to collect materials. he Green Party is supporting women. For those who pay Volunteers wanted to help with collecting or storing materials. ...Cost (in £s) to UK calls for NHS dentistry to be for NHS dentistry, there are taxpayers of bailing reformed to protect patients’ three fixed payment levels Materials wanted include: brass, T copper, lead, stainless steel, aluminium, rights. Under the current system depending on the treatment: electric cable, car batteries, car parts, out RBS and Lloyds some dentists are misleading patients cutlery, white goods. banking groups. about their rights to NHS treatments • Band 1 - £17: includes an Proceeds will go towards Norwich and are charging for expensive private examination, diagnosis and Green Party's campaigning activities ...Total amount treatments instead. For example, advice, plus X-ray and scale (in £s) spent by UK some dentists are charging £600 for and polish if needed. complex treatments that should cost • Band 2 - £47: includes all BOOKSALE households on £200 for NHS patients. household energy treatments in Band 1, plus Every Friday & Saturday The problem has arisen since the fillings, root canal 10 – 4.30pm and transport Labour Government introduced a new treatment and extractions. 42-46 Bethel Street in 2010. pricing structure in 2006, which changed the way dentists are paid for • Band 3 - £204: includes all treatment in Bands 1 and ...Combined annual NHS work. Dentists working under NHS contracts can provide both 2, plus complex treatments GDP (in US dollars) private and NHS treatments, but are like crowns, dentures of the world’s ten supposed to treat NHS patients at and bridges. poorest countries. fixed NHS prices, not private rates. DONATE BOOKS Adrian Ramsay, Green Party Deputy salary. Dentistry ought to be free at the and support the Leader, said: “The great majority of point of delivery but at the very least environmental work of honest dentists are finding it hard to the Government must protect NHS The Greenhouse Trust cover costs under this system due to patients from being charged the full CHARITY NO 1037992 insufficient Government funding, while market rate. The problems in dentistry www.GreenhouseTrust.co.uk 4.8 billion less honest dentists are over-charging illustrate why the Government should patients. The Government needs to not go ahead with plans to mix ...Amount of tax (in scrap the current system and employ together NHS and private services Greens Oppose £s) that Vodafone is dedicated NHS dentists on a fixed within the rest of the health service.” Waste Incineration alleged to have Green Party Councillor Andrew dodged paying. Boswell has challenged plans for a waste incinerator near Kings Lynn. ...Level (in £s) of Have Your Say on Councillor Boswell has written to the council’s Chief Executive after Government cuts to it emerged that a detailed briefing public services in was given to ruling Conservative Council Services Councillors but not shared with 2010. opposition councillors during the rom net budget and many ‘behind the decision-making process. ...Amount (in £s) that 20th July to scenes’ savings have already been made. 12th October Andrew Boswell said: “Incineration volunteers F Claire Stephenson, Leader of the is not the way to deal with Norfolk’s Norwich City Green Party City Councillors (pictured), contribute to UK Council is running waste. The council’s focus should be said: “The ruling Labour cabinet on enhancing recycling and re-use a public economy every year. delayed putting together a budget facilities. The rest of the waste could consultation on until after the recent local election. then be dealt with using anaerobic how it should deal with national ...Annual cost (in £s) Now that spending cuts are being digestion, which reduces landfill Government cuts to its budget. to NHS of considered it is vital that residents and without burning materials.” Residents are being asked for views interest groups have a say on the obesity-related on different services run by the City impact of cuts to services that they The County Council is running a health problems. Council and what they think are the use. The decisions that the council consultation on the planned priority areas. eventually makes must reflect the incinerator. To have your say please write to the Cabinet member for The Government has cut the City needs and views of local residents.” ...Number of people Environment and Waste, Council budget by £2.9 million. The worldwide living on For more information about the Bill Borrett, at bill.borrett@ ruling Labour administration says this consultation please go to norfolk.gov.uk or County Hall, less than $10 a day. is bound to affect delivery of frontline www.norwich.gov.uk or phone Martineau Lane, Norwich, NR1 2DH. services as it is over 10% of the council’s the City Council on 0344 980 3333. ...spotlight on green business...spotlight on green business..