Reflections on Bevan’s Run
Yesterday, I went to the Department of Health to watch the end of Bevan’s Run. If you haven’t come across ‘Bevan’s Run’ it involved two hospital consultants, Clive Peedell and David Wilson – both cancer specialists in Middlesborough, running from Aneurin Bevan’s statue in Cardiff to the Department of Health based at Richmond House in London – 160 miles in six days. They did this to raise awareness of public (and professional) opposition to the Health and Social Care Bill.
My reasons for going to meet the runners (with a few hundred others) in London was to express my support for what they had done and my agreement in the agenda which they were promoting – namely that there is no mandate for this coalition government to dismantle and privatise the NHS – because that is what they are doing.
While I was there, I both chatted and listened to chatter of those around me – many with much more experience than me in the sector (there seemed to be a lot of doctors milling around) about the wish to demonstrate opposition again and again. The phrase ‘lions led by donkeys’ raised its heads in reference to professional leadership which had not (with some notable exceptions) provided much leadership in opposing and disseminating the government’s plans.
Bevan's Run
Beyond ‘Clicks’ – Spartacus Report
My thoughts also turned to the ease with which we can now be driven to ‘clicktivism’ – signing petitions, sharing links on Facebook or Twitter and yes, writing blogposts like that – and while that is important in raising awareness as a background to protest, it can’t replace more original actions.
Actions don’t have to be running 160 miles (fortunately!) but if we look at the impact that the ‘Spartacus Report’ aka ‘Responsible Reform’ which has had a significant impact on presenting an alternative ‘view’ of the government (and unfortunately often the opposition) tarring of benefit claimants as ‘scroungers’ and targeting the House of Lords as the moral conscience of the nation, we can see that it is important that actions do move beyond the core clicking and tweeting.
‘Action’ is not restricted to being active.The ‘Spartacus Report’ made considerable use of Freedom of Information requests to highlight the nefarious nature of the governments’ so-called ‘consultations’.
Resolutions and Taking Action
So as we move into the new year (I’ve been away so am a bit late to this!) and although I’ve vowed not to make too many resolutions, I think these two events have pushed me into a wish to be more active this year in presenting opposition to government approaches through finding and presenting the evidence of failings and using my position as a frontline social worker to share the worries that I see on a day to day basis and present evidence about why these changes are not going to create a better, fairer society.
Clicking is not worthless, it is valuable. It is through social media that I have become aware of both of these initiatives. The presence of main stream media particularly on ‘Twitter’ and skilful promotion and dessemination has a real value but sometimes, it’s necessary to move beyond the ‘click of support’.
This is going to be a landmark year for Social Policy and Health Policy in the UK – whether it’s the Welfare Bill, the Health and Social Care Bill, the development and introduction of new Adult Social Care legislation due in the Spring and the future of Dilnot – these are all issues (among others) that those of us employed and reliant on services from the sector can push our voices out on. While I can guarantee I won’t be running 160 miles, I am sure going to try and think of more I can do to move the clicktivism into activism.
Finally, thanks to Clive and David and to those behind the Spartacus Report – particularly Sue and Kaliya. You inspire me.
chrisconder
January 16, 2012
I like the way social media is informing us of what is going on. The other day I watched one of my daughter’s friends speaking in the Welsh Senned and showing up the politicians who are being conned by the windfarm lobby. It restored my faith in the fact that the ordinary lions can stand up to these donkeys. He wiped the floor with the suits, he presented all the facts with maps and paperwork to back them up, and showed the flaws in the project with absolute clarity. The power of the people should never be underestimated, and having access to the internet increases our power and knowledge.
The link to watch the Senned was on my facebook page. Without fb I would never have known about it or seen it.
The only support I could give him was by clicking and sharing, but at least such things are on my radar, and now I know just how ridiculous they are, and the harm they can do in some areas, to the profit of some fat cats sat in a tax haven.
Knowledge is power. Power to the people.
John Durrant (Favabank)
January 16, 2012
Clicktivism – thanks for that neologism, a new one for me…
For many of those engaged in the daily treadmill of serving an economic system which requires continual growth for its own sustainability, clicktivism might be as far as many are able to go… It’s a whole lot better than apathy and perhaps is the first step in realising one’s own ability to have a tiny influence on society…
Peter English
January 16, 2012
Thanks for blogging this, ermintrude2!
This is such an important issue
See
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/jan/15/nhs-consultants-run-protest-heath-bill
the Bevan’s Run blog http://bevansrun.blogspot.com/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/healthcare-network/2012/jan/13/nhs-reforms-doctor-patient-relationship
Now here’s the important bit. If you haven’t already signed the petition do it now! http://www.keepournhspublic.com/index.php
I’ve posted some photos from the Bevan’s Run finish line at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151166066975164.796457.667040163&type=1&l=227956101b – are you in any of them? Feel free to tag anybody you know, and who isn’t already tagged.