Chair's Report to AGM 2010
Despite a background of financial chaos in the economy and mixed messages on the direction of travel for the NHS, the SHA has had a good year. Despite Burnham’s pronouncement that PCTs can assume that the NHS should be the “preferred provider” suggested that the fetish of the market might be under review, other aspects of marketisation have continued unabated. Despite there being almost no mention of patient and public involvement in the latest policy announcements, PPI has actually been developing strongly on the ground. Although Mid-Staffs casts a shadow over everything, health statistics overall have continued to improve.
The SHA has slowly increased membership. We are financially secure and stable. Martin Rathfelder, our director, continues to steer a steady course.
We have finalised policies in a number of key areas and are developing new ones. We have documents on the website on Inequalities, Integration and Involvement. We are finalising our approach to marketisation. We may address issues of quality in the NHS. We build on the extensive experience and expertise of our members.
We were a strong presence at the Labour Party conference, hosting a large meeting and interrogating ministers .
We have links with the Marmot team who have just completed their report on Health Inequalities in England. and we are helping to develop a grass-roots organisation to press for implementation of the report. The Healthy Equalities Alliance includes Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the NGO Forum, the Salvation Army, The NHS Confederation, the RCGP. Your chair also represents the NHS Alliance.
We are beginning to work in collaboration with other organisations when interests overlap and we can have influence. So we have held a joint meeting with the BMA and are writing a health manifesto for Compass. We continue to have good relations with Keep Our NHS Public.
Our website has been updated and we continue to hold meetings across the country on topics of interest and relevance. SHA branches in Wales, Scotland and the West Midlands continue to thrive.
The next year is likely to be a challenge. We may have to contend with a Tory government in which case we shall have to reorganise our priorities and ways of working. We would then hope to offer a rallying place for those on the left in the NHS. In the case of a Labour victory we shall continue to offer support and criticism where needed.
We thank all the people who continue to work in the NHS in general and those who strive for a socialist, just and equitable health service and society.
Brian Fisher