The Immigration Act undermines the core principles of the NHS, together we must stop it

The NHS has always given free health care to UK residents. Its founding principles were healthcare free for all, regardless of ability to pay. This was a universal right, which applied to all who lived in Britain.

Under the Immigration Act 2014, the government is planning to charge certain migrants for GP and emergency treatment. Non-EU migrants and students will be forced to pay before being allowed NHS treatment, and refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants will be excluded from many crucial services.

This will fundamentally undermine the right to healthcare enjoyed by all since 1948, and ultimately hurt all of us.

Report on "The Right to Speak Out", a public meeting at BMA House

Last month there was a public meeting on whistleblowing and defending public services at BMA House. The meeting was organised by Local East London Save Our NHS campaigns and hosted by the London Regional Council of the BMA. The meeting was organised to bring together NHS whistleblowers and union members who had acted in defence of services and been victimised for it, to share their experiences and discuss how it could be ensured staff can speak out safely.

Speakers were Kim Holt, Consultant and whistleblower on Haringey Children's Services, Charlotte Monro, sacked OT & whistleblower from Whipps Cross Hospital. Julie Davies from Haringey NUT, Tracey Boylin a HR director for an NHS Trust who was removed from her role when she tried to stand up for bullied clinicians,Polly Toynbee, Guardian columnist and Nick Clarke, Department of Health representative working on the Francis Review 'Freedom to Speak Up in the NHS'

The speakers recounted the harrowing experience of raising concerns and being ignored, and then subsequently bullied and victimised when they continued to press concerns.