Come To The National Health Conference

national | worker & community struggles and protests | event notice Monday March 31, 2008 15:09 by dragonflyer - Campaign for a Real Public Health Service HealthConference2008 at gmail dot com Joe Higgins - 01 8201753, Marie O’Connor - 0868180254

For a REAL Public Health Service NOW

The health crisis - Now is the time for a National Campaign

The Government is:

* Cutting frontline services while protecting its sweetheart deal with Big Pharma.
* Creating a 4-tier health service where access depends on the size of your wallet and where you live.
* Closing second level hospitals, leaving hundreds of thousands without ready access to inpatient facilities and putting them at risk of death and disability.
* Privatising health care - scooping millions for corporations at the expense of our public health service.

The conference will outline the roots of the current crisis and - crucially - create a space for discussion with activists, trade unionists, medical staff, community leaders, patient groups and members of the public, and take the first step in launching a national campaign for a sustainable health service.

10.30-10.45: Registration

10.45-11.00: Opening of conference

11.00-1.30: Why privatisation is bad for your health?
Speakers: dr. JOHN BARTON, Consultant Physician, Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe. Vice Chair of the Health Services Action Group (HSAG), PEADAR McMAHON, Chairperson Monaghan Hospital Action Group, PROF. ALLYSON POLLACK, Centre for International Public Health Policy, University of Edinburgh.

1.30-2.00: Lunch

2.00-3.30: Building a Public Health Service - The alternative to the government’s agenda!
Speakers: PHILOMENA CANNING, Midwife & National Birth Alliance, MARIE O'CONNOR, Author “Emergency”, PRO of HSAG, JOE HIGGINS, Socialist Party representative.

3.30-5.00: Building a national campaign
Speakers: DES DERWIN, Dublin Council of Trade Unions (personal capacity), MICHAEL MURPHY, conference facilitator