Filter CategoriesAll UK police monitored thousands through Prevent-linked mental health hubs Middle East Eye reported on our latest publication – ‘Racism, mental health & pre-crime policing: the ethics of Vulnerability Support Hubs’. UK counterterror mental health project raises ethical concerns Al Jazeera reported our latest publication – ‘Racism, mental health & pre-crime policing: the ethics of Vulnerability Support Hubs’. Counterterror project that has assessed children as young as six ‘raises serious ethical concerns’ Sky News reported on our latest publication – ‘Racism, mental health & pre-crime policing: the ethics of Vulnerability Support Hubs’. Mental health tests in the presence of counter-terror units ‘unethical’, says charity The Guardian covered our latest report – ‘Racism, mental health & pre-crime policing: the ethics of Vulnerability Support Hubs’. It’s time for the health community to back a Green New Deal Members of our Climate & Health Research Cluster, discuss the findings of our latest briefing, ‘The public health case for a Green New Deal’, in the BMJ Opinion. The hostile environment is damaging vaccine rollouts Huck magazine covered our Vaccines For All Campaign in an article discussing the damage the Hostile Environment is causing to the UK’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Why a Green New Deal must be anti-capitalist The Morning Star wrote an editorial covering our latest briefing ,’The public health case for a Green New Deal’. Agenda: Our biggest bank must change its policy on nuclear weapons Medact member, Dr Michael Orgel, wrote in the Scottish Herald about the campaign calling on the NatWest Group to make sure no companies involved in any nuclear weapon programmes can borrow money from it. New anti-protest bill raises profound concern and alarm, human rights groups say The Guardian covered the open letter we signed onto alongside 150 organisations calling on the Government to withdraw the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill. Talk Radio Drive Time Medact member, Dr LJ Smith, was on Talk Radio discussing our campaign urging London Mayoral candidates to take meaningful action to address air pollution. London air pollution: Campaigning teenagers put up warning signs BBC News covered the open letter we co-ordinated which resulted in 100 health professionals urging London Mayoral candidates to take meaningful action to address air pollution. London teenagers’ road signs highlight effect of toxic air on people of colour The Guardian covered the open letter we co-ordinated which resulted in 100 health professionals urging London Mayoral candidates to take meaningful action to address air pollution. The UK’s covid-19 response underscores the danger of a “health versus wealth” approach Members of our Economic Justice & Health Group write in the BMJ discussing their experiences as frontline health workers during the pandemic, where they have had to treat both COVID-19 & the symptoms of harmful economic policies. Their article also draws upon the findings of our latest briefing paper, ‘Health Versus Wealth? UK economic policy and public health during COVID-19’. Why is the government trying to undermine its anti-terror programme? Our research into the effects of Prevent Duty in the NHS was referenced in a Guardian article discussing the government’s controversial appointment of William Shawcross to lead an independent review of Prevent. Coronavirus ‘amnesty’ to get undocumented migrants vaccinated will not be enough, ministers warned The Independent covered the letter co-ordinated by the Patients Not Passports campaign, which was sent to the Government alongside 140 other organisations, urging them to take further action to remove the barriers to accessing healthcare currently preventing migrants from accessing the COVID-19 vaccine. Our Programme Lead, James Skinner was quoted in the article. For true herd immunity, we must vaccinate immigrants as a priority The Guardian referenced the findings of our report on migrant access to healthcare during the Coronavirus pandemic, in an article discussing restrictions on migrants accessing the Coronavirus vaccine in the US. ‘Callous and Careless’: UK Coordinated Man’s Deportation With a Doctor Access to Healthcare Campaigner, James Skinner, was quoted in a Vice article discussing the Home Office’s decision to deporting a person against the medical advice of a GP and discusses how this fits into the wider Hostile Environment in healthcare. You’ve Heard Of The Hostile Environment. But Did You Know About The Resistance? Our Access to Healthcare Campaigner, James Skinner, was quoted in a Huffington Post article discussing the role health workers are plating in resisting the Hostile Environment in the NHS. Racism Is A Public Health Crisis. As A Doctor, I’ve Seen It For Myself Dr Harun Khan writes in the Huffington Post about racial disparities in healthcare and mentions the findings of our report on the impacts of Prevent Duty in the NHS. The antithesis of care Our Research Manager, Dr Hilary Aked, wrote for Red Pepper Magazine, shedding light upon the implementation & impacts of the Prevent counter-extremism policy on mental health services. Daniel Carter: Protecting renters now can help us minimise a second covid-19 wave Daniel Carter, an Epidemiologist and member of our Economic Justice & Health Group, wrote in the BMJ about why protecting renters will help us minimise the public health impact of a second wave of COVID-19. End of eviction ban in England and Wales ‘could cause Covid surge’ The Guardian covered the open letter we, alongside 16 other public health organisations and 3 tenants unions wrote to the Government calling on them to protect those experiencing housing insecurity during the coronavirus crisis. Extend eviction ban or risk coronavirus increase, UK government warned The Financial Times covered the open letter we co-ordinated and signed, alongside 16 other public health organisations & 3 tenants unions, calling on the government to protect those experiencing housing insecurity during the coronavirus crisis. It Is Time For General Practice To Act On Racism In Health Care The BJGP Life discussed some of the findings from our report ‘False Positives: the Prevent counter-extremism policy in healthcare’, with a focus on the racial disproportionality in NHS referrals to Prevent. Asians and Muslims More Likely to Be Referred to the UK’s Anti-Terror Programme Vice covered some of the key findings from our report ‘False Positives: the Prevent counter-extremism policy in healthcare’, with a particular emphasis on the research highlighting the racial and religious disproportionality in who is reported under the Prevent duty. Time to tackle institutional racism Medact Manchester member, Piyush Pushkar, wrote a blog for the BMA, discussing some of the findings from our report ‘False Positives: the Prevent counter-extremism policy in healthcare’. People with mental health problems are more likely to be referred to government’s counterterrorism programme The BMJ covered the findings of our report ‘False Positives: the Prevent counter-extremism policy in healthcare’. As Priti Patel quietly expands Prevent, let’s talk about why we should be defunding it instead An opinion piece for The Independent covered some findings from our report ‘False Positives: the Prevent counter-extremism policy in healthcare’. Mental health may be ‘significant factor’ in NHS referrals to Prevent The Guardian covered our latest report ‘False Positives: the Prevent counter-extremism policy in healthcare’, with an particular emphasis on the report’s finding that people with mental health conditions are disproportionately referred to Prevent. COVID-19: children on the front line Retired consultant paediatrician and co-chair of Keep Our NHS Public, John Puntis, writes for the BMJ about Medact’s Patients Not Passports briefing paper and our Migrant Solidarity Group’s recent research revealing the true impact of the Hostile Environment on children’s health. How The ‘Hostile Environment’ Has Made This Pandemic Harder For Doctors Like Me Dr Harun Khan, writes for the Huffington Post about the impact of Hostile Environment policies in the NHS during the pandemic, referencing Medact’s recent report on migrant access to health care during the coronavirus crisis. Migrants in UK fear charges for NHS virus treatment, say charities Channel 4 News covered our new briefing paper, co-produced by Migrants Organise and the New Economics Foundation. The report examines the barriers to accessing healthcare for migrants during the coronavirus crisis and the findings lead to a series of urgent recommendations designed to inform the government’s response to the public health emergency. Calls to scrap ‘unfair’ NHS surcharge for all migrant workers Campaigner, James Skinner, was quoted in the Guardian, discussing the importance of scrapping the NHS Surcharge for all migrants, following the government’s decision to end NHS charging for NHS staff. ‘Normal’ life failed us. The coronavirus crisis gives us the chance to rethink a new economy Guardian journalist, John Harris, mentions the platform that Medact gives to health workers who want to address the social and economic inequalities that underpin the COVID-19 crisis. Children being denied cancer treatment due to their immigration status, doctors warn The Independent covered new research from our Migrant Solidarity Group & the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, which revealed the true impact of the Hostile Environment on children’s health. MPs urge government to suspend NHS immigration checks The Guardian reported on the letter signed by 60 cross-party MPs calling on the Health Secretary to suspend NHS charging and data sharing with the Home Office during the coronavirus crisis. Medact, working alongside JCWI and Migrants Organise helped coordinate the letter. Zara Sultana MP, reads out Medact’s briefing on NHS Charging in the House of Commons Zara Sultana MP, reads out Medact’s briefing on NHS Charging, during the House of Commons debate over the emergency Coronavirus Bill. Coronavirus: Home Office urged to suspend ‘hostile environment’ amid fears infected migrants won’t seek treatment The Independent reported on our joint open letter to the Government calling for an immediate suspension of all NHS charging and data-sharing between the NHS Trusts and immigration enforcement, so that migrants can access healthcare both during the Covid-19 outbreak, and after. Coronavirus: call to release UK immigration centre detainees The Guardian reported on the open letter we co-signed, which called on the Government to release people detained in immigration detention centres to protect public health during the Covid-19 outbreak. Siddhartha Mehta: Healthcare workers should call for a health centred budget Campaigner, Siddhartha Mehta, wrote in the BMJ Opinion about Medact’s open letter from health workers calling on the Government to introduce a health & wellbeing budget in wake of the Marmot Review. ‘The climate crisis is a health crisis’ Movement Builder, Rachel Piper, wrote for Ecologist about our open letter from health workers calling on the Government to respect the Court of Appeal’s ruling on Heathrow expansion. Fossil free psychiatry Following the Royal College of Psychiatrists divesting from oil and gas, a Fossil Free Psychiatry member urges fellow healthworkers “to work with organisations like Medact to make sure their professional bodies go free from fossil fuels without delay.” Royal College of Psychiatrists removes oil and gas from multi-million investment portfolio Campaigner, Deirdre Duff, quoted in Energy Voice, discussing the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ announcement that it has divested from oil and gas. What should we do? Campaigner, Reem Abu-Hayeeh, was interviewed by Peace News about Medact’s aim of growing the movement within the health community, who challenge the arms, nuclear weapons and militarism industries. A prescription for big oil Campaigner, Deirdre Duff, features in The Lancet Planetary Health, discussing the unique role that health workers can play in the fossil fuel divestment movement. Islington to drop NowMedical over homelessness assessment fears Campaigner, Siddhartha Mehta, features in The Bureau of Investigative Journalists, discussing the impact of local authorities outsourcing homelessness medical assessments to private contractors. Release arrangements for immigration detainees are medically unsafe Migrant Solidarity Group member Frank Arnold, co-wrote a piece in the BMJ challenging the unsafe discharge many people face when released from immigration detention. Half UK universities commit to divesting from fossil fuels Campaigner, Deirdre Duff, was quoted in the Financial Times, discussing the Royal College of Physicians announcement that they would divest from carbon-intensive companies and mining businesses whose operations were not aligned by 2023 with the Paris climate agreement. Run the NHS, but do not call the UK your home Migrant Solidarity Group member Roghieh Dehghan Zaklaki, wrote for the BMJ opinion, discussing the hypocrisy of the British Government which relies upon migrants to work in the NHS, whilst simultaneously enacting policies that discriminate against migrants. Call for end to sick and disabled people being medically assessed by private firms they have never met Migrant Solidarity Group member Frank Arnold, featured in the Independent, discussing the worrying trend of local authorities using private medical companies to carry out medical assessments. Islamaphobia: Why Prevent is a barrier to HIV prevention Campaigner, Reem Abu Hayyeh, featured in the National Aids Trust blog, discussing the initial findings from our forthcoming report into the impact of Prevent legislation in the NHS. Public cash should not go to firms profiting from war Medact Scotland co-wrote an open letter in the National, calling on the Scottish Government to stop awarding public contracts to arms companies. Adults heed call to join massive pupils’ climate crisis strike Medact are mentioned by The National, in an which discusses the ways in which healthcare workers are showing solidarity with the school climate crisis strikers. Appointment of ‘biased’ Carlile to Prevent review ‘shatters its credibility’ The Guardian covered the joint statement written by Medact and a coalition of other human rights organisations, expressing concern at the Government’s appointment of Lord Carlisle as the independent reviewer of the Prevent programme. NHS fees: ‘Couple couldn’t take baby’s body home’ Campaigner, James Skinner, was featured in a BBC News article discussing the lack of clarity health workers have over NHS charging guidelines. Migrant charging in the NHS: how doctors can support patients when hospital care is denied Interim-Director, Guppi Bola, featured in the BMJ, discussing how healthcare workers can use Medact’s Patients Not Passports toolkit to resist the Hostile Environment in the NHS. How NHS staff are fighting back against the ‘hostile environment’ Campaigner, James Skinner, writes in Open Democracy about Medact’s Patients Not Passports campaign and the growing movement resisting the hostile environment in the NHS. As we move into an uncertain future, we need to look at what our bodies tell us Interim Director, Guppi Bola, featured in Dazed, discussing the health impacts discrimination causes for migrants. MPs cave in to Left-wing doctors and scrap plans to stop health tourists coming to Britain for treatment they’re not entitled to – costing the NHS £280m a year Campaigner, James Skinner, features in the Daily Mail, discussing Medact’s patients Not Passports Toolkit and critiquing migrant charging in the NHS. Nuclear war and a new arms race Members of our Arms and Militarism Group, write an open letter in the Guardian, opposing a new arms race between the USA and Russia and urging the British Government to abide by the UN treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons. NHS Healthcare as a Hostile Environment: The barriers facing asylum seekers Medact Manchester member, Dr Louise Tomkow, highlights the barriers facing asylum seekers trying to access free primary care in the NHS. Mental health and deaths after police contact: Why Seni’s Law is welcome, but more is needed Campaigner, Reem Abu Hayyeh, writes an article in the British Psychological Society Journal, discussing mental health, policing and institutional racism. The army’s marketing drive is a cynical, calculated ploy to exploit Britain’s most vulnerable young people Medact’s co-written report, Selling The Military – a critical analysis of contemporary military recruitment marketing, was covered by the Independent in an article discussing the exploitative recruitment strategies of British Armed Forces. UK army should stop recruiting children, health experts say Campaigner, Reem Abu-Hayyeh, interviewed by the Guardian, discussing an article she co-wrote in the British Medical Journal Paediatrics Open, about the health effects of British Army recruitment of children under the age of 18. Reem’s article built upon the report joint published by Medact and Forces Watch, Selling the Military. Doctors Against Diesel feature on Reuters TV Medact and Doctors Against Diesel member, Dr James Grigg, was interviewed by Reuters TV about air pollution in London. Call for action on Sudan protests Interim director, Gupi Bola, wrote an open letter in the Guardian, calling on action from the UK Government to protect Sudanese protestors opposing the rule of Omar Al-Bashiri. The open letter drew attention to the focussed attacks and assault on Sudanese healthcare workers, particularly members of the Sudanese Doctors Union. MCS review of A Safer World – Treating Britain’s harmful dependence on nuclear weapons Round up of coverage of Medact report – A safer world: Treating Britain’s harmful dependence on nuclear weapons. Yemenis are being left to rot in a forgotten war – The BMJ Taher Qassim MBE writes about the cholera epidemic raging in the midst of one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises in Yemen. The political determinants of the cholera outbreak in Yemen – The Lancet David Mccoy & co write about the crucial role that the Saudi-led coalition has played in creating conditions conductive to this catastrophic outbreak. Even a ‘minor’ nuclear war would be an ecological disaster felt throughout the world In light of escalating war of words between North Korea and the USA, Medact Director David McCoy writes about the effects of nuclear detonations on the environment and climate. Coverage Roundup: A Safer World – Treating Britain’s harmful dependence on nuclear weapons Round up of coverage of Medact report – A safer world: Treating Britain’s harmful dependence on nuclear weapons. Medical professionals demand UK respect UN treaty banning Trident David Jamieson writes about Medact report ”A safer world – Britain’s harmful dependence on nuclear weapons’ for CommonSpace. Keeping nuclear weapons is a high-risk gamble – Letter in the Telegraph Health professionals wrote a letter to the telegraph reiterating the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons Doctors urge Britain to take lead on nuclear disarmament – The BMJ Abbie Rimmer reports on Medact letter published in the Daily Telegraph today (25 July 2017) for BMJ News. Dietary guidelines should encourage a healthy planet – The BMJ Anne Gulland reviews our new policy briefing, A Healthy and Sustainable Food Future, for BMJ News Media coverage of diesel letter to Theresa May Click to see media coverage of the letter we sent to Theresa may encouraging her to phase out diesel Campaign to save Aleppo from Assad’s Syrian regime Medact calls on doctors and nurses to take part in the peaceful protest against the destruction of Aleppo Coverage of Doctors against Diesel launch A selection of the coverage of the action by different media outlets, including BBC, Huffington Post and Sky News Interview with Professor Jonathan Grigg re: Doctors Against Diesel BBC Breakfast Brexit Britain should lead the way by banning mass antibiotic use in agriculture, says top doctors Letter coordinated by the Alliance to Save our Antibiotics and Medact signed by senior medics calling for urgent action to tackle routine misuse of antibiotics in UK farming Under-18s in army ‘face greater injury, death and mental health risks’ Medact discusses the mental and physical impact of under-18’s being in the army, The Guardian Fracking threatens UK’s climate change targets, says report Financial Times Nuclear madness – St Andrews woman’s 35 years of campaigning Michael Alexander meets retired St Andrews-based GP Dr Judith McDonald, who explains why she won’t give up after 35 years as a nuclear disarmament campaigner. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine divests from coal companies The Guardian, 13 May 2015 Doctors and academics call for ban on ‘inherently risky’ fracking Letter to BMJ prompted by new report from health charity Medact recommending UK-wide moratorium on fracking for shale gas
