NHS Under Threat

[cardiffsteve]

This could be very serious. The Conservatives are floating plans to cap the number of times we are allowed to visit our GP. [1] If we run out of visits – because we've got a sickly child or long-term health condition, for example – we could be forced to pay to go elsewhere. At the moment it's just a proposal. [2] But if the Conservatives don't see a big public backlash, it could soon be a grim reality. So let's raise an outcry as quickly as possible and push them to drop the idea immediately. Please sign the urgent petition now: tell health minister Jeremy Hunt to rule out limiting our access to NHS GPs: https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/dont-cap-GP-visits Jeremy Hunt will be watching the public's reaction carefully. He is an ambitious politician with an eye on his own popularity. If he sees a huge petition growing fast, he'll realise this is damaging his ratings. So if enough of us sign, we could play a key role in getting this idea dropped. Being able to visit the family doctor when we need it is a bedrock of a decent health system. GPs are often our first port of call when we're ill. [3] Limiting access to GPs could mean a dangerous illness is left undetected until it's too late – unless of course you've got private medical insurance… But this isn't just about GPs. This is about a principle at the heart of our battle to protect the NHS. Since the NHS was created, everyone in Britain has been able to rely on visiting a doctor as often as we need to. Limiting access would undermine the NHS at its very foundations. So let's send the Conservatives a strong message: drop this terrible idea. https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/dont-cap-GP-visits Thanks for being involved, David, Rebecca, Travis, Blanche and the 38 Degrees Team PS: Here’s what the chair of the Royal College of GPs said about these proposals: “This was obviously written by someone who has never been unwell, or has never met people who work in the health service." Let’s not let the idea get any further – please sign the petition now: https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/dont-cap-GP-visits NOTES [1] Daily Mail: Fury as Tories look to limit the number of times you can see your GP each year: Fury as Tories look to limit the number of times you can see your GP each year | Mail Online Independent: Cap on number of GP visits being considered by Tories: Cap on number of GP visits being considered by Tories - Health News - Health & Families - The Independent [2] The proposal is contained in a "Conservative Policy Forum" paper on NHS policy, you can see the whole thing here: http://www.conservativepolicyforum.com/policy/local-health [3] See for example this campaign on the importance of going to see your GP early if you could have symptoms of bowel cancer: http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinformation/Cancertypes/Colonandrectum/Symptomsdiagnosis/Symptoms.aspx

[Sheneval]

Safe in their hands I have already signed this petition

[Sheneval]

Good news. It looks like we may have nipped it in the bud. Jeremy Hunt has been forced to respond to our 180,000-strong petition. And he’s made a public pledge to "never" introduce a limit on the number of times we’re allowed to visit our GP.

On Tuesday, this was a serious Conservative Party policy proposal, being reported in national newspapers. [1] Now, it's "never" going to happen.

That's pretty extraordinary. By working together in big enough numbers, we've forced a leading politician to change his tune in just 48 hours. No wonder he doesn't like us - ordinary people, working together, are limiting his ability to damage our NHS.

This is what 38 Degrees is all about. Jeremy Hunt may grumble. But he knows he can't afford to ignore us. We're independent. We move fast. We stick to our principles. And most importantly of all, there are thousands and thousands of us, all over the country.

[BarleySugar]

That came through to me just as I'd sent the link on to DD and son no2. They signed anyway. These online petitions do seem to work.

[Newton]

You will both have independence soon.........so you won't need to sign petitions against the government. You'll have far more to worry about!