Medact

Movement Builders: Taking Creative Action
2021-10-26 19:00 - 20:30 (Europe/London) | Zoom
Over the last few months, Health for a Green New Deal hubs have been taking action in their communities and in their unions for climate justice and a transformative green new deal, lobbying their MPs for green jobs, organising climate clinics and protesting against the expansion of Leeds Bradford Airport.
On the 6th November, we’ll be forming Health Blocs at demonstrations across the UK as part of the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice.
For the October Movement Builders session, in support of coming together for the Health Blocs, we’ll be running a workshop on taking creative action!
Join us at 7pm as we explore together all you need to know about taking impactful, fun and creative actions!
[Registration has now closed]

‘Kill the Bill’ Research Group: Meeting #8
2021-10-25 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
The government has misleadingly branded the dangerous PCSC Bill a “public health approach” to combating serious violence. In response, we are putting together a briefing in support of the Kill The Bill movement, explaining why police-led enforcement is not the same as public health and why this Bill will actually harm health. This is our sixth project meeting.
We especially want to enable those from groups most affected by the Bill to contribute to this work but all are welcome. For more info, contact office@medact.org.

No Borders in the NHS! Week of Action, 23-27 October
2021-10-23 00:00 - 2021-10-27 23:59
The Hostile Environment is turning the NHS into the new frontier of border control. Join us as we take action against patient charging and demand an end to borders in the NHS!

Hostile Environment immigration policies are undermining the founding principles of the NHS. People are turned away from the healthcare they need. People are turned away from the healthcare they need. Immigration checks are becoming normalised in receptions and wards across the country. NHS hospitals routinely share patient data with the Home Office. People are harassed by debt collectors for huge bills they will never be able to pay.

Save the dates! No Borders In The NHS: Week of Action, 23-27 October. People all over the country will take action across five themed days of action, more info to follow!

We must remember all those whose lives have been devastated by border controls in healthcare, continue to resist through collective organising in hospitals and workplaces, and stand in solidarity with all those who are impacted by the hostile environment. Join us!

No Borders In The NHS: Week of Action, 23 – 27 October

People all over the country will take action across five themed days.

Saturday 23rd – Remember and Resist!

We begin by remembering and honouring all those whose lives have been destroyed by racist Hostile Environment policies. October 23rd marks four years since the introduction of upfront charging for migrants in the NHS, and two years since the deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants who were found in a lorry in Essex.

Today we remember Nasar Ullah Khan, who died after being denied treatment for heart failure. We remember Elfreda Spencer, who died because she could not pay £30,000 upfront for chemotherapy. We remember Kelema Mulat, who died following a 6 week delay in breast cancer treatment. We remember Elvis, who died of coronavirus without help because he was too scared of being charged or deported if he came forward for treatment. We remember all whose lives have been made disposable at the hands of Britain’s hostile border controls—their bravery, their struggles to survive and their campaigns for a better world.

Join campaign groups across the country holding street stalls and vigils:

London:

12 noon – 1pm @ Lewisham Hospital A&E, SE13. With Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign, Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network and Lewisham Citizens

12 noon @ Whitechapel Underground Station. With Tower Hamlets Keep Our NHS Public

12 noon @ Dalston Farmers Market, St Paul’s Church, N16. With Hackney Patients Not Passports, Hackney Keep Our NHS Public, Akwaaba, and Feminist Fightback

6pm @ Walthamstow Town Square, E17. With Waltham Forest Patients Not Passports, Waltham Forest Save Our NHS, and Waltham Forest Migrant Action

Brighton & Hove:

5.30pm @ Peace Statue, Hove Lawns, Hove. With Brighton Medact

Manchester:

Midday @ St. Mary’s Hospital, Oxford Road (opposite the Whitworth Gallery), Manchester, M13. With Greater Manchester Patients Not Passports, Manchester Keep our NHS Public, Medact Manchester, and The Greater Manchester Immigraiton Aid Unit

Rally against the Nationality & Borders Bill. 2pm @ St Peter’s Square, Manchester, M2 5PD. With NW Unison, NW NEU, Greater Immigration Aid Unit, Lancashire Association Trades Union Councils(LATUC), Greater Manchester Association Trades Union Councils, NW Unison Black Members Committee, NW TUC Black Members Committee, Status Now, and RAPAR.

Sun 24th – Free for All Forever: No to Privatisation

The introduction of Hostile Environment immigration policies into the NHS goes hand in hand with a wider project of privatising our healthcare system and erosion of its founding principle: that healthcare is a right and should be available to everyone, regardless of ability to pay or where you’re from. The 2017 introduction of upfront charging in the NHS marked one of the most profound changes since it was established, forcing NHS Trust to withhold care from people that cannot pay. The new Health and Care Bill, currently being debated in Parliament will further open the door to privatisation and the undermining of our health system as we know it.

Read this article by Keep Our NHS Public campaigner, Alia Butt, and help us share Docs Not Cops’ video outlining what is happening to the NHS.

Mon 25th – Solidarity Knows No Borders: End the Hostile Environment

Today we stand in solidarity with everyone impacted by the Hostile Environment and the racism of border controls. From schools, to housing, to healthcare, the Hostile Environment seeks to destroy lives and undermine access to vital public services. At the same time, the Government’s new Borders & Nationality Bill – also known as the #AntiRefugeeBill – seeks to create a two tier system for people seeking safety, normalise offshore migrant prisons, and limit migrants’ access to justice.

Today we will highlight that the immigration system is not broken – it is violent and hostile by design. We will stand with all campaigning for an end to the Hostile Environment in its entirety.

In London, there will be a street stall outside St Thomas’ Hospital to talk to NHS staff about The Hostile Environment and how it will impact their work:

7:30pm – 9pm @ St Thomas’ Hospital, Westminster Bridge entrance, SE1. With Lambeth and Southwark Patients Not Passports

In Sheffield, there’ll be a street stall outside the Royal Hallamshire to talk to NHS staff about the Hostile Environment, raise awareness about the Justice for Simba campaign, and find out how to get more involved with the movement for migrant justice:

4pm @ Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, S10. With Medact Sheffield, The Justice for Simba Campaign, South Yorkshire Migration and Asylum Action Group

In Newcastle, there’ll be a street stall outside Royal Victoria Infirmary to talk to NHS staff about The Hostile Environment and how it will impact their work:

8am – 9:30am, Monday 25th @ Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, NE1. With Keep Our NHS Public North East and Medact North East

Tuesday 26th – Organise To Win

The Hostile Environment seeks to turn those who care and support the most marginalised in our society into border guards. This is what we must remember when we build our campaigns against racist immigration controls in our public services. The Department of Health will only listen when we organise in our workplaces and in our communities, to raise collective awareness about what is happening under the Hostile Environment and together refuse to be complicit in this system.

It will take all of us to win. That means everybody the Hostile Environment tries to recruit as a border guard, we must now recruit to our campaign: to be fighters for justice and to stand up for everyone’s right to healthcare. NHS workers have a particular role to play to advocate for patients facing increasing barriers to care and to protect the universal principles that underpin the NHS.

Look out for a list of street stalls and leafleting at hospitals and town centres near you, with information about how you can join the campaign wherever you are.

London:

7:30am – 9am @ St Thomas’ Hospital, Westminster Bridge entrance, London SE1. With Lambeth and Southwark Patients Not Passports.

Leeds:

7:30 – 9am @ Leeds Infirmary, Jubilee Wing main entrance, Leeds, LS1. With Leeds Keep Our NHS Public

Brighton:

7.45am and 4.45pm @ Royal Sussex County Hospital, BN2

4.45pm @ Millview Hospital, BN3

Time TBC @ Princess Royal Hospital, BR6

Time TBC @ Eastbourne District General Hospital, BN21

Wednesday 27th – No Borders In Healthcare

Our NHS was founded on the principle of universal healthcare, free at the point of use for everyone – regardless of background, nationality, or ability to pay. The government’s Hostile Environment means this is no longer the case. What we see as a result is people deterred from seeking the care they need, outright denied treatment on the basis of the documents they have, questioned about their entitlement to care because of how they look, the colour of their skin, or their so called ‘foreign sounding name’, and people being forced to choose between incurring huge debts, regularising their immigration status, or their good health.

Today we join forces across the country to make our message clear: no borders in healthcare. The NHS must treat #PatientsNotPassports.

If you’re in Newcastle join their banner drop:

8:30am @ The Dome, Whitley Bay, Newcastle. With North East Keep Our NHS Public, and Medact North East

In Liverpool, campaigners from Merseyside Solidarity Knows No Borders will be out in the town centre talking to people about the impact of NHS charging and how to join the Patients Not Passports campaign:

Midday @ Liverpool Town Centre (close to Iceland on Kensington). With Merseyside Solidarity Knows No Borders.

In Bristol, there’ll be a demo in the town centre calling for an end to NHS Charging and the Hostile Environment:

5pm – 7pm @ The Sails, by Primark, Broadmead, BS1. With Bistol Patients Not Passports and Bristol Medact

We’ll let you know how to participate online on the day! Get in touch at info@act.patientsnotpassports.co.uk to help get the message out on Wednesday morning.

Economic Justice & Health Group Meeting
2021-10-21 19:00 - 20:30, 2021-10-07 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
The Economic Justice & Health Group meets fortnightly on Thursdays at 7pm.
If you’re interested in getting involved, please get in touch with movement organiser, Ben Eder – beneder@medact.org

Refugees Welcome Demo
2021-10-20 16:30 - 18:30 | Parliament Square, London, SW1P 3, United Kingdom, Parliament Square, London, SW1, United Kingdom
Right now, women, children and men fleeing war, persecution and conflict need our support. Yet just when the UK needs to uphold its commitments to refugees, in October the new Nationality and Borders Bill moves closer to becoming law. This bill will make it harder than ever for people who come here to seek safety.
The government has committed to take 20,000 Afghan refugees over the next five years. But that isn’t enough, and lacks the necessary urgency. While we are hearing accounts of mothers throwing their babies over razor wire in desperation in the face of the horrors facing them under the Taliban, the UK government plans to make people wait years for resettlement, and to imprison any who manage to flee to the UK by other means.
We can and must do more to welcome refugees, and not just Afghans. Everyone who crosses borders for safety should be given a fair hearing and a chance to rebuild their lives.
We know that our communities can be generous and welcoming and that many people want to do more for those who come here for safety. Through this rally, we want to show the Government that we oppose this Bill, and that we want to live in a humane and welcoming society.
If you agree, join us outside Parliament. Hear from refugees and add your voice to the movement to welcome them. The event is for everyone who cares about the rights of people to seek asylum.
The rally is being organised by people with experience of the asylum system with support from Solidarity With Refugees, Women for Refugee Women and IMIX, but we want it to belong to us all.

‘Kill the Bill’ Research Group: Meeting #7
2021-10-18 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom

Speaking out at COP 26 ─ climate media training for health workers
2021-10-16 | Zoom
As world leaders meet to discuss our future at the COP 26 climate talks, health workers from across the UK will take action to demand the transformative changes we need to win both health justice and climate justice. Ahead of the conference, Health for a Green New Deal is running a day-long, specialised spokesperson training for health workers who are keen to speak out to the media.

Giving comments and broadcast interviews to the media can seem daunting, but health workers speaking out can be a powerful way to get our messages across to huge sections of the public. Confidence is key, and this training will help you to feel prepared and ready to speak out with impact – at COP 26 and beyond!

The training, led by Dr Rita Issa, will go through the fundamentals of speaking to the press, preparing for interviews to make sure you nail your messaging, and we will run practice interviews with feedback from your peers.

There are 12 places on this training, and we will prioritise places for people from the health community who are marginalised, from communities who are under-represented in the media. If you are interested in attending, please apply by telling us a bit about yourself in the form.

If you have any questions, get in touch with us on info@health4gnd.uk

[Registration has now closed]

About the lead trainer

Dr Rita Issa is a GP, academic and activist. She’s appeared on the BBC, ITV, Sky News, Al Jazeera and Novara Media, among others, and has trained through a number of media and communications groups, including as part of the NEON spokesperson network. She’s led on a number of social media campaigns, making millions of impressions across platforms like Twitter and Tumbler, and is a columnist for the Independent, most recently writing a series from her time aboard the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise. www.drritaissa.com | @DrRitaIssa

Nuclear Weapons Group meeting: ICAN Cities Appeal
2021-10-12 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom
The Nuclear Weapons Group will be meeting to discuss next steps with our work to support the ICAN Cities Appeal.
For more info, contact office@medact.org.

‘Kill the Bill’ Research Group: Meeting #6
2021-10-11 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom

Patients Not Passports National Network Meeting
2021-10-07 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
This is a regular meeting for anyone involved in the Patients Not Passports campaign. Groups from around the country get together to share ideas, learn from each other, and plan the next steps of the campaign. These meetings are only for people already involved in the work, but if you’d like to get involved, you can register for our next New Joiners meeting on Tuesday 23rd November.

Group Meeting: Medact North East
2021-10-06 19:00 - 20:30, 2021-09-22 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
Medact North East holds fortnightly meetings on Wednesdays at 7pm ─ currently online.
If you would like to join, please contact northeast@medact.org

Research Meeting: ‘Kill The Bill’
2021-10-04 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
The government has misleadingly branded the dangerous PCSC Bill a “public health approach” to combating serious violence.
In response, we are putting together a briefing in support of the Kill The Bill movement, explaining why police-led enforcement is not the same as public health and why this Bill will actually harm health. This is our fifth project meeting.
We especially want to enable those from groups most affected by the Bill to contribute to this work, but all are welcome.
For more info, contact office@medact.org.

'Kill the Bill' research meeting 5
2021-10-04 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
The government has misleadingly branded the dangerous PCSC Bill a “public health approach” to combating serious violence. In response, we are putting together a briefing in support of the Kill The Bill movement, explaining why police-led enforcement is not the same as public health and why this Bill will actually harm health. This is our fifth project meeting.
We especially want to enable those from groups most affected by the Bill to contribute to this work but all are welcome.
For more info, contact office@medact.org.

Alternative Training on Prevent in Healthcare #3
2021-09-30 18:00 - 19:30 | Zoom
It is possible to create a society in which our collective safety and wellbeing are prioritised. Developing trusting, healthy relationships with all of our patients is essential to this work.
However, Prevent – with the government’s stated aim of identifying “vulnerability to radicalisation” – compromises all of this, and is a source of harm and increased marginalisation.
Why is the NHS the only healthcare system in the world with a legal obligation to engage with such a strategy? What aren’t you being told about Prevent in safeguarding training?
Join the third in our series of Alternative Trainings on Prevent online on Thursday 30th September at 6pm to learn more
This training will seek to shed light on some unanswered questions about Prevent. We will hear from:

Members of Medact’s Securitisation of Health Group
Farzana Khan ─ a writer, director, cultural producer and award-winning arts educator, Farzana is the Executive Director and Co-founder of Healing Justice London
More to be confirmed

This event is particularly aimed at people who work or are training in, study, or who have worked in health.
We are aware that some people may feel some concern or worry about attending the event. As such, we will be sending an email out to attendees prior to the event detailing how we will be seeking to make this event as safe and secure as possible.
[Registration has now closed]

Patients Not Passports Stall @ Haringey Welcome
2021-09-29 19:00 - 21:30 | Karamel Restaurant, 4 Coburg Road, London, N22 6UJ, United Kingdom
The Patients Not Passports campaign will be running a stall at next Haringey Welcome event on Wednesday 29 September 7-9.30pm at Karamel Restaurant, 4 Coburg Road, N22 6UJ.
The event will include a vegan meal and complementary drink, drama and music performances, readings from a migrant women’s writing group, a short film from our Haringey Covid Chronicles project, and an open mic section focusing on community projects and experiences across Haringey during the pandemic.
Register through EventBrite

September Big Meeting — Health for a Green New Deal
2021-09-29 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
Join us for the September Big Meeting of the Health for a Green New Deal campaign! We’ll be hearing updates on what different groups across the network have been up to and how you can get involved.
After the August Movement Builder’s session on ‘what’s the deal with COP 26’, we’ll be discussing and planning together how we are organising and taking action during the COP 26 climate talks.
The meeting will be online on Zoom, starting at 19:00 – look forward to seeing you there.
[Registration has now closed]

Research Meeting: ‘Kill The Bill’
2021-09-27 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
The government has misleadingly branded the dangerous PCSC Bill a “public health approach” to combating serious violence. In response, we are putting together a briefing in support of the Kill The Bill movement, explaining why police-led enforcement is not the same as public health and why this Bill will actually harm health. This is our fourth project meeting.
We especially want to enable those from groups most affected by the Bill to contribute to this work but all are welcome. The meeting will take place online.
For more info, contact office@medact.

Climate Clinic briefing call
2021-09-27 19:00 - 20:00, 2021-09-13 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
In the run-up to our Health Action for the Green New Deal Bill, we will be running briefing calls on 13th and 27th September going over the process of setting up a Climate Clinic and how to have persuasive conversations with members of the public.
You can register for one or other call when you sign up to take part in the action.

IPPNW Concert with Yo-Yo Ma
2021-09-25 23:59
Greater Boston PSR (GBPSR) and International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) are pleased to host our fourth annual event to address the twin existential threats of nuclear war and climate change. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the special event will be streamed live on-line, beginning at 7:00pm EST, on Saturday, September 25th, 2021.
This year’s event will honour the work of GBPSR and IPPNW co-founder Dr. Bernard Lown, who, together with Dr. Evgeny Chazov of the Soviet Union, accepted the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize on IPPNW’s behalf. The event will feature live music from world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma and chamber musicians from the Longwood Symphony Orchestra. Yo-Yo Ma personally knew and greatly admired and respected the work of Dr. Lown.
Register through EventBrite

Research Meeting: Climate & Health
2021-09-23 19:30 - 21:00 | Zoom
The Climate Research Group are meeting to discuss work on updating our COP briefing ahead of November’s meeting in Glasgow.
For more info, contact office@medact.org

NHS Borderlands Screening
2021-09-23 18:00 - 21:00 | Whirled Cinema, 259-260 Hardess Street, Loughborough Junction, London, SE24 0HN, United Kingdom
Join us for a screening of ‘NHS Borderlands’, an investigative documentary exploring the human cost of charging migrants for NHS care.
See full details and register on EventBrite

Research Meeting: ‘Kill The Bill’
2021-09-20 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
The government has misleadingly branded the dangerous PCSC Bill a “public health approach” to combating serious violence. In response, we are putting together a briefing in support of the Kill The Bill movement, explaining why police-led enforcement is not the same as public health and why this Bill will actually harm health. This is our third project meeting.
We especially want to enable those from groups most affected by the Bill to contribute to this work but all are welcome.
For more info, contact office@medact.org.

What has the Climate Crisis got to do with our health?
2021-09-18 16:00 - 17:00 | Zoom
Medact Yorkshire are delighted to invite you to our online contribution to York Environment Week where we discuss ‘What has the Climate Crisis got to do with our Health?’.
We have three local health professionals who will talk about how health and climate interact; why we should take action now and examples of what we can all do to improve the natural world around us, reduce the worst effects of the climate crisis and improve the health of ourselves, our families and our communities.
[Registration has now closed]

Medact Sheffield Banner Making
2021-09-14 18:00 - 20:00 | U-mix Centre, 17 Asline Road, Lowfield, Sheffield, S2 4UJ, United Kingdom
On Tuesday 14th September 6-8pm we will be hosting a banner making session to make banners for the ? Justice for Simba Campaign’s Carnival of Resistance to the Hostile Environment ? .
Do come and join us — it would be lovely to meet any new faces; all levels of creativity for banner-making welcome! Drop us an email at sheffield@medact.org if you’re planning to come along.
We’ll be in the training and performance room at the U-mix Centre, 17 Asline Road, Lowfield, Sheffield, S2 4UJ.

Bearing Witness: Healthcare in Gaza - digital campaign launch
2021-09-13 18:00 - 20:30
Join us for the online launch of Hexitime’s ‘Bearing Witness’ campaign, a campaign connecting healthcare workers in the UK with their peers on the frontlines of political and humanitarian crises.
The campaign will provide a platform for healthcare workers to offer — or respond to someone’s request for — an hour of their time to listen to and seek to understand and appreciate the stories and experiences of healthcare workers on the frontlines of humanitarian disasters.
The initial phase focuses on Gaza in Palestine, and this event will be an informative introduction to the campaign and how to join.
We will be hearing from:

Mohammed Aghaalkurdi – Project Assistant on Medical Aid for Palestinians’ limb reconstruction programme
Dr Hesham Abdalla – Consultant paediatrician, director of medical education and quality improvement, and co-founder of Hexitime
John Lodge – NHS Head of Quality Improvement (London) and co-founder of Hexitime
William Nicholson – Programming and Partnerships Lead at the Health Foundry
Sally Becker – Founder and Chief Executive of Safe A Child – Global Paediatric Network

The free online event will take place on Monday 13 September at 6pm. Register to attend the event.

Patients Not Passports — New Joiners meeting September 2021
2021-09-09 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
The best way to get up to speed with the campaign and get connected with work going on across the country is to come to our next New Joiners meeting on Thursday 9th September. We’ll cover campaign strategy, hear from some of the groups working on the Patients Not Passports campaign, and explore the different ways you can get involved. We’re currently building towards a national day of action in October, so there’s lots to do!
? Register for the next New Joiners meeting – Thurs 9th September ?
Most of the Patients Not Passports work happens through locally focused campaign groups, with groups based in: Sheffield, Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol, Brighton, Birmingham, Oxford; East, South, and South East London; Glasgow, and Wales. If you’re not in any of these places, don’t worry! Docs Not Cops and Medact’s Migrant Solidarity Group work nationally or we can support you to set up your own local group. You don’t need to work in healthcare to be involved! To win we’ll need everyone working together to oppose NHS charging and there is room for everyone in the campaign.
If you can’t make the next New Joiners meeting, don’t worry – there’ll be another one in a few months or we can make time for a quick phone call with you or connect you directly with your local group. If you have time, you could check out How NHS staff are fighting back against the ‘hostile environment’ for an overview of the campaign, or read Challenging Healthcare Charging in the NHS, a briefing that examines where the Hostile Environment policies came from, how they work, what their impact is, and what we can do about them.
? Register for the next New Joiners meeting – Thurs 9th September ?

A transformative Green New Deal — getting the BMA on board
2021-09-09 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom
Doctors and medical students have been organising within their trade union in support of a radical response to the climate crisis! They have successfully managed to get a Green New Deal motion on to the BMA’s conference agenda – it will be debated at the annual representatives meeting on the weekend of the 13th-14th September.
In this event we’ll hear from grassroots organisers within the BMA about what they’ve done so far, and discuss what we should do next in the campaign to get the BMA to support the Green New Deal. Most importantly we’ll discuss how doctors and med students, who want to organise for climate justice within the BMA, can get involved!
Whether or not you are coming to the BMA annual meeting, or are even a BMA member – you are warmly invited to this event if you want to see the BMA supporting a Green New Deal.
[Registration has now closed]
