Medact Liverpool: Meeting
2020-03-26
Medact Liverpool meeting on the 26th March

Medact Gathering 2020 [POSTPONED]
2020-03-27 00:00 - 2020-03-29 23:59 (Europe/London) | Conference Aston, Aston University, Aston St, Birmingham, B4 7ET, United Kingdom
Health Justice 2020

The health community as a force for change

Friday 27th – Sunday 29th March, 2020 Postponed

Aston University, Birmingham

After careful consideration and consultation, we have now decided to postpone our upcoming Health Justice conference in light of the current situation regarding Coronavirus.

We are obviously really disappointed that we can’t go ahead as we were looking forward to seeing you in Birmingham, but we recognise that the health community is currently working at full capacity to respond to the virus and there are particular risks to a mass gathering of health workers from across the UK.

There has been so much energy building up around the conference and we want to make sure to carry that forward ─ we hope to be in touch soon with a rescheduled date for later this year as soon as we can.

Medact’s 2020 Gathering will explore the interlinked societal and political structures which damage health and discussing the ways in which health workers can use their skills and social mandate to create change for good.

The programme will be made up of a range of different sessions covering our key areas of work, across streams on Access to Healthcare, Peace & Security, Climate Justice & Health, and Economic Justice.

There will be ample opportunity to connect with other Medact Members and supporters, to learn from the campaigning work happening across our movement. You will also have the opportunity to hear from fantastic keynote speakers, attend panel discussions and workshops, as well as gain key skills to further your campaigning work.

What’s on at the conference?

This year’s conference will be made up of streams of sessions covering the broad range of Medact’s current work. Attendees will be free to choose to focus on a key area of interest, or take part in sessions on multiple topics you’d like to learn more about.

View the draft programme!

People's Health Movement Webinar for World Health Day
2020-04-07
As CoVID 19 challenges our way of living, the People’s Health Movement UK/Scotland, Medact, Health Poverty Action are launching a webinar series to explore the challenges that coronavirus has highlighted within health systems, public health, and society at large, both in the UK and globally. It coincides with World Health Day, which sees PHM circles around the world campaign for Health for all, Now!
We will discuss the socio-political determinants of this pandemic, including the most pressing issues at the interface with the community, vulnerable populations, the hostile environment, the
privatisation of NHS, and much more.
Front line activists, academics, public health experts, journalists, will join us to engage in an alternative discussion looking at the current situation from a social justice lens, denouncing the problems, and advocating for the solutions.
The webinars will be held on:

Tuesday 7th April 6.30 pm GMT (‘A UK perspective on CoVID-19’), register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/uZAodeiurDspztDackmWGiwihhWpePlbWg
Tuesday 14th April, 6.30 pm GMT (‘A global perspective on CoVID-19’), register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/uZEpfu6urjgjvbMdWhwiViy-MqxOCNPX3w

There is also a Facebook event for the webinar series.

International Day of Action Against Commercialisation of Health
2020-04-07
On World Health Day, decentralised actions are being organised throughout Europe. For the fifth consecutive year, we call on citizens, health workers, associations, etc. to come together on the Day of Action against the Commercialisation of Health.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic we have cancelled all gatherings and actions with physical contact.
We therefore call on every citizen to demonstrate their support by “spreading solidarity, not the virus”.
How? With a “white sheet” action on April 7:

Hang a white sheet with a slogan in a visible place or make a poster at home
Take a picture of yourself with your messages
Post it on social media – add the hashtag #health4all and address it to political leaders.

Find posters, video, press releases and social media accounts for the White Sheet action on 7 April to defend a health system that is publicly funded and accessible for all, outside of market logics – on the website: http://europe-health-network.net/

Webinar: Climate, Health and Covid-19
2020-04-08 19:00 - 20:00
We will need to adapt how we approach our climate work, both during and after the pandemic. We will be hosting a Climate, Health and Covid-19 on Wednesday 8th April at 7pm to explore these issues and share some of the thinking that has already happened in climate and health spaces.
The webinar will be an opportunity to raise any climate concerns and insights you might have. If you are worried about having the time, energy or headspace to take ideas forward – we would still be very keen to hear them, so that as an organisation we can hold these and take them forward ourselves where appropriate.
We will be using Zoom to host the call – to join you will need to register:
Register through Zoom

Medact Liverpool: Meeting
2020-04-14
Medact Liverpool meeting on the 14th April

People’s Health Movement Webinar: 'A global perspective on CoVID-19'
2020-04-14 18:30 - 20:00
As CoVID 19 challenges our way of living, the People’s Health Movement UK/Scotland, Medact, Health Poverty Action are launching a webinar series to explore the challenges that coronavirus has highlighted within health systems, public health, and society at large, both in the UK and globally.
Front line activists, academics, public health experts, journalists, will join us to engage in an alternative discussion looking at the current situation from a social justice lens, denouncing the problems, and advocating for the solutions.
Tuesday 14th April, 6.30 pm GMT (‘A global perspective on CoVID-19’), register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/uZEpfu6urjgjvbMdWhwiViy-MqxOCNPX3w

Medact Sheffield: Meeting
2020-04-22 19:30 - 21:00
Medact Sheffield will be having an online catch up call on Google Hangouts at 7.30pm this Wednesday, 22nd April. There’s no agenda, it’ll just be good to check-in, see how we’re doing and share thoughts
You can join via this link here: https://meet.google.com/vaj-xkcg-bij

Repeat Webinar: Climate, Health and Covid-19
2020-04-23 19:00 - 20:30
We will need to adapt how we approach our climate work, both during and after the pandemic. We will be hosting a repeat Climate, Health and Covid-19 Webinar on Thursday 23rd April at 7pm to explore these issues and share some of the thinking that has already happened in climate and health spaces.
The webinar will be an opportunity to raise any climate concerns and insights you might have. If you are worried about having the time, energy or headspace to take ideas forward – we would still be very keen to hear them, so that as an organisation we can hold these and take them forward ourselves where appropriate.
We will be using Zoom to host the call – please register for the webinar: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lfFXXVaYS-y2urr62GcNwA

Migrant Solidarity Group: Meeting
2020-04-27 08:00 - 17:00
Medact’s Migrant Solidarity Group will be meeting on Thursday 4th June.

Migrant Solidarity Group: Meeting
2020-04-27 08:00 - 17:00
Medact’s Migrant Solidarity Group will be meeting on Tuesday 7th July.

Migrant Solidarity Group: Meeting
2020-04-27 08:00 - 17:00
Medact’s Migrant Solidarity Group will be meeting on Thursday 6th August

Medact London: Meeting
2020-04-28 18:00 - 20:00
Strategy planning meeting (how national and local fits together)
In our last meeting we discussed how we can adjust our campaigns in the light of coronavirus, as well as how Medact London can work on housing & other economic justice issues.
On this meeting we will be joined by Medact’s Economic Justice campaigner Siddhartha who will support us to build strategies for our campaigns going forward.
You can join us on Zoom, please email rachelpiper@medact.org for details.

The arms industry in the era of COVID-19: lessons for the future
2020-04-29 18:00 - 19:30
Soon after the COVID-19 pandemic reached the UK, it became clear that the NHS was not sufficiently equipped or staffed to respond to the crisis.
In March, the government put out a call for industry to convert its production to manufacture crucial medical equipment, such as ventilators and PPE for frontline workers. To date, a number of arms and defence companies have responded to this call – alongside existing companies that manufacture medical equipment and others.
Workers at Lucas Aerospace called for exactly this kind of arms conversion back in 1976, when they produced an Alternative Corporate Plan – now known as the Lucas Plan.
In this webinar we discuss what a ‘just transition’ from industries that cause destruction to those that support peace and public health could and should look like, hearing from experts in the field of arms conversion and a just transition for workers:

Hilary Wainwright – Founding editor of Red Pepper Magazine and co-author of ‘The Lucas Plan: A New Trade Unionism in the Making?’
Dr. Andy Haines – Professor of Environmental Change and Public Health at LSHTM
Phil Asquith – Chartered Engineer and former Chairman of the Lucas Aerospace Combine, Burnley site
Dr. Stuart Parkinson – Executive Director of Scientists for Global Responsibility
Sam Mason – Policy officer at PCS Union and member of the New Lucas Plan project

The arms industry in the era of COVID-19: lessons for the future

Watch this video on YouTube

Medact Bristol: Discussion Group
2020-04-29 19:00 - 20:00
Medact Bristol’s April Discussion group will be on the 29th April from 7pm-8pm

Health and the Green New Deal
2020-04-30 19:00 - 20:30
Our world is rapidly changing. As crises continue, exacerbated by deep inequality and lack of investment in key infrastructure, the need to reassess priorities in society and our economy grows ever stronger.
Join us for this webinar as we explore what a rapid transition to a zero-carbon society underpinned by a Green New Deal could mean for public health, as well as the role the health community can play in bringing it about.
*Speakers TBC*
You will need to register for the Zoom webinar.

Migrant Solidarity Group: Meeting
2020-05-05
Medact’s Migrant Solidarity Group will be meeting remotely on Tuesday 5th May.
For further information please email rachelpiper@medact.org

Medact Research Network: Initial Meeting
2020-05-05 18:30 - 20:00
During times like these the need for solid research that’s well communicated and impactful has never been more pressing.
This first meeting of the Medact Research Network will be a chance to explain the purpose of the research network, get to know each other a bit and put faces to names, share ideas, ask questions and start breaking off into smaller research clusters.
We understand that many members will currently be extremely busy – so we’ll aim to make it fun and there will be no obligatory homework! Please join us if you’re interested, whatever your capacity.
If you would like to join the meeting, please get in touch with Hilary Aked with brief details of your interest in the Research Network.

Medact Climate & Health Working Group
2020-05-06 17:00 - 18:00
Medact’s Climate & Health working group will be meeting remotely on the 6th May, 5.00pm to 6.00pm.

Medact Sheffield: Meeting
2020-05-12 20:30 - 21:30
Medact’s Sheffield Group is on the 12th of May.
Please contact the Medact Sheffield Co-ordinators at sheffield@medact.org for information about how to join the online meeting.

Medact Liverpool: Health and the Green New Deal Webinar
2020-05-13 19:00 - 20:30
Over the coming weeks, the government will begin planning for covid economic recovery and it is essential that we engage in discussions about how we want this to look. As a society, we have learned that we are capable of making major changes at a policy and personal level in the name of public health. We must continue to keep health at the top of the agenda when the time comes to look to the future, and rebuild in a way that ensures food and housing security, tackles inequality and creates jobs by investing in green technology solutions.
Join us for this webinar as we explore how we can transition to a zero carbon society and the benefits that this will bring in terms of public health. We will discuss the role of healthcare professionals in bringing about this transition and opportunities for a greener and healthier future in the North West and Merseyside.
Speakers:

Deidre Duff / Rob Abrams – Climate and Health Campaigners for Medact
Gina Dowding – Former MEP for the North West, Green Party Member
Ed Gommon – Nurse and climate activist for Merseyside Labour for a Green New Deal

Please RSVP below for joining instructions, and email liverpool@medact.org if you have any questions.
[Registration has now closed]

Building Economic Justice ─ workshopping for a Just Response to the coronavirus crisis
2020-05-14 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom
Come join Medact’s newly convened Economic Justice working group as we come together to work on the campaign for a Just Response to the coronavirus crisis.
You will learn about the pressing economic issues that are having a public health impact and what we should collectively be doing together as health workers to lift the burden of socio-economic inequalities that are being exacerbated due to this crisis.
Please note – we will be using Zoom to host the call.
[Registration has now closed]

Seminar: Radiation and Women's Health [POSTPONED]
2020-05-16 10:30 - 16:30 | NW1 2BJ, Leslie Forster Suite, Friends House, 173-177 Euston Road, London, London, NW1 2BJ, United Kingdom
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament are hosting a day of seminars discussing scientific research that sheds a light on how women are considerably more sensitive to radiation than men, and children than adults. There seminars will also explore the strong scientific evidence of raised cancer levels among children living near nuclear facilities worldwide.
Saturday 16th May, 10am to 4pm @ Leslie Forster Suite, Friends House, 173-177 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BJ

Medact Scotland: Meeting
2020-05-18 19:30 - 20:30
If you work or have worked in health and you’re based in Scotland, you’re very welcome to join this Medact Scotland meeting. We will be discussing the links between COVID-19, militarism, climate and health, and the next steps in the campaign for nuclear disarmament.
The meeting will take place online and please email scotland@medact.org for details on how to join.

Medact Sheffield: Meeting
2020-05-18 19:30 - 20:30
Medact Sheffield will be meeting online on Monday 18th May at 7.30pm.
Please contact the Medact Sheffield Co-ordinators at sheffield@medact.org for information about how to join the online meeting.

IPPNW World Congress XXIII: Disarmament, Development and Health [POSTPONED]
2020-05-25 - 2020-05-29 | Prideinn Paradise Beach Resort, Mombasa, Kenya
We regret to inform you that due to the #COVID19 pandemic we have postponed the IPPNW 23rd World Congress previously scheduled for May 25-29, 2020 in Mombasa, Kenya. New dates have not yet been set as we will be monitoring the worldwide health situation. Keep well!
— IPPNW (@IPPNW) March 13, 2020

The IPPNW World Congress will be meeting in Mombasa, Kenya from 25-29 May 2020.
Delegates from over 50 states in the world will gather to discuss disarmament and development as a pre-requisite for social justice, good health and ecological sustainability in Africa and the world at large.
Topics covered include violence & health, nuclear famine, universal health coverage, achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Africa and nuclear disarmament.
You can register to attend the conference here now, and for a limited time you will be able to pay early bird rates.

Medact Sheffield: Meeting
2020-05-25 19:30 - 20:30
Medact Sheffield will be holding their next meeting on Monday 25th May at 7:30pm. You can find the agenda for the next next meeting by clicking here.
Please email the Medact Sheffield Co-ordinators at sheffield@medact.org for information about how to join the online meeting.

Medact London: Meeting on Economic Justice & COVID-19
2020-05-26
As Medact London we have a focus on economic justice, particularly in this city where the already significant inequalities have been made glaringly obvious during this pandemic.
Building on our previous work on housing, we are trying to think about what we might want the post-COVID London to look like, and how as people working in healthcare we might affect change to see that.
If this sounds like something you are interested in, join us on Tuesday 26th at 7pm to help start to build our campaign for an economically just future for London.
If you would like the Zoom details to join please email london@medact.org

Medact Sheffield: Meeting
2020-06-02 19:30 - 20:30
Medact Sheffield will be meeting on Tuesday June 2nd at 19:30.
Please email the Medact Sheffield Co-ordinators at sheffield@medact.org for information about how to join the online meeting

Economic Justice & Health Group ─ first meeting
2020-06-03 18:30 - 20:00
Medact’s newly convened Economic Justice & Health issue group will be meeting online on Wednesday 3rd June at 6:30pm.
This will be the first meeting of the new Medact issue group for Economic Justice & Health. We will establish the terms of the group; how it will function, what roles need to be assigned and our collective aims for the group.
We will also be going over in detail the strategy, situational analysis and actions for the campaign for a Just Response to the Coronavirus Crisis.
Please RSVP below if you would like to join. We will send through joining details for the online call on the day of the event.
[Registration has now closed]
