Save Our NHS Benefit Night: Friday 24th February At The Queens Head, Belper

This Friday, the 24th of February, will see local artists Sweet Liquorice, Annette Oakes and more join together to raise awareness of the funding crisis that is affecting the NHS.

Taking place in the Top Bar of the Queens Head, Chesterfield Road, Belper doors will open at 8:00 pm and admission is free. Donations to campaign welcomed.

The media finally seem to have woken up to the fact that a cash-starved NHS and Social Care system is in the grip of its deepest crisis since the founding of the NHS in 1948. Trolleys have increasingly replaced beds as hospitals have struggled to meet demand throughout a relatively benign winter with no significant flu epidemics. Social Care has been in crisis for far longer with four fifteen minutes a day visits deemed sufficient to serve the needs of the most frail and vulnerable. One in four private care homes is contemplating closure.

In Derbyshire the so-called Sustainability and Transformation Plan was signed off in November with the projected loss of 385 acute beds, 85 Community Hospital beds and 55 in Mental Health already stretched to breaking point. In effect an already struggling NHS is being asset stripped to patch up holes in Social Care. Babington and Newholme hospitals would appear to be joining Bolsover as earmarked for closure. Even NHS Improvements commented that it was  ‘nervous’ about both the impacts on patient care and the authority’s ability to deliver.

So it’s all about the money! What can we do?

Locally, those of us determined to hold on to our NHS have lobbied and attended CCG and council meetings to present the alternative case. A significant number of authorities have refused to sign off plans which simply cannot be delivered. We can turn this around.

Campaigning can, however, be fun as can be seen from the strong line up assembled for this fundraiser. Sweet Liquorice are of course Tony Stark and Saskia Searle and Annette Oakes needs no introduction to local audiences.

An evening therefore to lift the spirits, a few glasses as well as raising money to support the local campaign.

Forthcoming attractions:

·         March 25th. Steve Ignorant’s Slice of Life.£10

·         April 22nd. Andy T + Support. £8.

·         May 5th. Bonfire Radicals £8

·         May 20th. Paytron Saint/ Arguably Venomous Creatures.ptbc

·         July 1st. Kingfisher Blue.

·         Nov 24th. Sunjay. £8