Make your town an NHS trade deal free zone

4 Jul 2023

The US presidential election has concluded - with Donald Trump having been kicked out of office. But even with Joe Biden in the White House, our NHS is still very much under threat from trade deals. We still face:

• US private companies getting increased access to NHS services
• Rising drug prices
• Privatisation that is 'locked in' to the NHS and becomes increasingly difficult for future government's to reverse

So with the Trade Bill still making its way through parliament, it's as vital as ever that we stand up and fight to make sure our NHS is taken off the table once and for all. That's why on Wednesday November 11, we're asking YOU to take part in our day of action to make your town an NHS trade deal free zone. We're asking you to call on your MP to vote to amend the Trade Bill so our NHS is protected from future trade deals.

Taking action to make your town an NHS trade deal free zone

- Find/buy some blue ribbon (blue because it is the colour of our NHS). If possible, also make a sign that says “Our NHS is a Trade Deal Free Zone” or another similar message. Or, better still, print out one of these graphics in A4 and carry with you. 

 - Go to your local NHS hospital, health centre or GP's surgery preferably between 9am and 3pm on Wednesday (11th November). It's useful to do it earlier so that you can have natural light to take your pictures with, as night falls earlier now.

 - Tie your ribbon onto a suitable platform (a lamp post, the gate, etc) at your local NHS hospital, health centre or GP's surgery. Stand next to your ribbon and take a picture.

 - Share your picture on social media, tagging your MP and asking them to protect our NHS from trade deals. Also tag We Own It in your post. Use the hashtag #NHSTradeDealFreeZone on Twitter and Instagram. If you don't have a social media account, send your picture to info@weownit.org.

- Get in touch with our press officer Chris Jarvis who will be getting in touch with the local press about your action and helping to spread the word even further. Email Chris on christopher@weownit.org.uk, and let him know where your action is taking place and who your local MP is.

Actions already planned:

You can take this action on your own or with people from your household (due to Covid lockdown rules), at your own time, but preferably between 9am and 3pm. Here are hospitals or health centres where people will be taking action tomorrow (the times indicate when you can join with others in those communities to take action in a socially distanced and safe way):

• Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich - 11am
• Swindon NHS Health Centre, Swindon - 10am
• Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield - 1pm
• Sunderland Royal Infirmary, Sunderland - 1pm
• West Middlesex University Hospital, Isleworth - 2:30pm
• Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Bristol - 10am
• Hereford County Hospital, Hereford - 1pm
• Morriston Hospital, Swansea - 1pm
• Hillingdon Hospital, Uxbridge - 11am
• Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich
• Dumbelton Medical Centre, Saint Neots
• Macclesfield District General Hospital, Macclesfield - 9am
• West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds - 10am
• Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol - 11:30am
• Lymington New Forest Hospital, Lymington
• Dewsbury and District Hospital, Dewsbury - 11am
• Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport - 10:30am
• Southport and Formby District General Hospital, Southport
• Bradford Royal Infirmary, Bradford
• Falmouth Hospital, Falmouth - 10am
• Helston Community Hospital, Helston - 10:3oam
• Buttercross Health Centre, Somerton - 10:30am
• Ealing Hospital, Southall - 1pm
• The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Northfield
• St George's Hospital, Tooting - 2:30pm
• University of Nottingham Medical School, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham - 1:30pm