GPs run 160 miles for the NHS

Bevan’s Run: Two GPs arrived in Whitehall this afternoon (Sunday) after running the 160 miles from the founder of the National Health Service, Aneurin Bevan’s, birthplace in Cardiff to highlight the dangers of Coalition plans for the health service.

The runners arrive as fresh as when they set out five days ago.

In a speech as they set off from Cardiff on Tuesday the GPs Dr Clive Peedle and Dr David Wilsonsaid that ““Nye Bevan’s original vision for the NHS was that all citizens should be protected from illness and pain, so that even the most disadvantaged in society would have “freedom from fear”. We cannot prevent the fear people feel when they actually fall ill, but we can prevent the fear of being unable to afford care and get access to care, by providing a comprehensive health service, free at the point of delivery, to all. This is what the NHS is all about and this is what needs protecting. It is the glue that holds our society together.

“The Health and Social Care Bill has no democratic mandate, it lacks any sound evidence base, it is ideologically driven, it is highly unpopular with the majority of healthcare professionals (most notably GPs), and it undermines the founding principles of the NHS, which is the most popular institution in Britain. It is an affront to the citizens of the UK.

“Despite this, the coalition Government has ignored calls from the medical profession to withdraw this destructive bill. The underlying principles of the NHS are therefore under severe threat as the bill gets closer to being enacted by Royal Ascent.

“The complexity of the bill, the misleading spin by the Government, the lack of health policy expertise in the national media, the problems faced by New Labour of being an effective opposing force, and most importantly the nature of the coalition, which gives the Government a majority on both Houses of Parliament, has allowed this flawed and dangerous bill to get so close to being enacted.”

Dr Clare Gerada, chair of the Royal College of General Practioners, was one of a number of supporters who joined them for part of the run: “I’m running as the RCGP has raised serious concerns about the health bill from the outset. It poses the risk of significant harm to the NHS and to patients. Also, I’ve been watching Clive Peedell and I’m impressed with anyone who can run from Cardiff to London. He seems to be tweeting as often as he’s running!”

Big Smoke decided not to run the whole way but to conserve our energy for the welcome reception outside the Ministry of Health. To make up for it here are some pictures. Click to enlarge.

Clive Peedle (left) and David Wilson (right)

The support vehicle

Some of the supporting groups

The welcoming crowd outside the Department of Health

One member of the crowd makes his views known

Runners and crowd cheering their monumental achievement

Dr Jackie Davis

For more information on the Coalition’s NHS reforms read Keep Our NHS Public