Under the Knife 2019

Under the Knife EVALUATION AND CUTTINGS

compiled by tpr media consultants +44 (0)20 8347 7020 | sophie@tpr-media.com www.tpr-media.com

Under the Knife About Under the Knife: Investigative feature­length documentary, Under the Knife, tells the chilling story of how Britain’s publicly funded national healthcare system has been systematically dismantled and undermined. The film was made as a way of mobilising support to keep the NHS safe.

Narrated by award­winning actor, Alison Steadman, and endorsed by film director, Ken Loach, Under the Knife is a 90­minute documentary that tells the story of how the NHS arrived at its present­day crisis.

In Under the Knife, Emmy award­winning director Susan Steinberg and producer Pamela Kleinot uncover the covert, creeping privatisation of the NHS in the past three decades, culminating in the 2012 Health and Social Care Act, which opened the floodgates to private companies.

Pam K Productions, producers of Under the Knife, partnered with successful campaigning organisation Keep Our NHS Public to organise a free week­long 'Festival of Screenings' with over 60 screening in locations including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Liverpool, and Brighton (the original target was only 20). A crowdfunding scheme was launched to enable Under the Knife to be screened free of charge and there was support from unions UNITE, UNISON and TUC.

Aims: • To inform the public – including NHS staff – about the state of the NHS and how it is being systematically dismantled through underfunding and privatisation.

• To generate debate and engage people in fighting for the NHS’s future before it’s too late.

• To raise awareness of Keep Our NHS Public (KONP) and encourage people to feel hopeful and empowered to make a difference (successful Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign).

• To raise awareness of the screenings and encourage the public to see the film.

PR Overview: For this campaign tpr media worked closely with Samantha Warren, PR for KONP. The news agenda was literally wall­to­wall Brexit and, despite trying to use this to our advantage, journalists were focussed on the primary story. At the same time, London Film Festival was taking place impacting on coverage in film outlets.

With the above in mind, we were keen to explore media partnerships and secured one with campaigning newspaper the Daily Mirror which ran two high­profile pieces (including a spread with narrator, Alison Steadman). The Daily Express (part of the Mirror newspaper group) also ran the Alison Steadman feature.

Mirror Associate editor, Kevin Maguire chaired the Under the Knife premiere Q&A and tweeted about the event to his 193.7k followers; he also mentioned the film in his Mirror column. Other coverage included a mention in John Le Fanu’s Telegraph column, Pam Kleinot’s blog in Open Democracy (81.3k twitter), and a blog in Live for Films (57.2k followers) by director Susan Steinberg. The British Medical Journal and the Health Services Journal also covered the film’s release. In total, there were just 51 pieces of coverage, with over 30 regional pieces of press – including regional Mirror titles – we have printed a selection here. The coverage had a news reach of 3.07m and total news value of £738.03k according to Kantar analytics.

tpr media consultants – July 2019

Key tweets: •

NHS Million (461.4k followers) tweeted about the premiere (24 retweets, 60 likes)

•

Kevin Maguire (190.7k followers) tweeted about the premiere (33 retweets, 78 likes)

•

We Own It (20.5k followers)

tpr media consultants – July 2019

Analytics

tpr media consultants – July 2019

National newspapers

How HowT owT wTo Toriries es pplot lot ottttetted otte ed ffor foor ddecade ecad caades es to est carv ca arve vvee up up & selellof selloff eell ooffffffNHS fNNHS NNH BYY P PA AU A UL ROUTLEDGEE

S EVE ERYONE suspects the Toriies have a long-term plan to To abo olish the NHS. A new documentary ffiilm will lay ay b the bare h plot l dating d b backk d decades, d and within sight off success.

Under The Kniffee charts the secret Conservative strategy to

op pen up the health service to prrivate sector companies as a prelude to total sell-off ff.

The devastating documentary, y, made by

by Pam P m Kleinot and Susan St einberg, draws on dozens of intterviews with doctors, nurses, pooliticians and patients to track the steps towards today ay ’s crisis. ld d h d dl f

We told yesterday how a dad left ft Boris Johnson in no doubt about B tthe perilous state off the NHS. Omar Salem confronted the P Prime Minister at Whipps Cross H Hospital, in East London, after his b baby waited two hours for treatm ment on an overstretched ward.

H He said: “[She] nearlyy died. The NHS h b N d d”

tpr media consultants – July 2019

NHS has been destroyed.”

Under The K Kn niffee tells how the NHS was almost strangled at birth byy opposition from doctors and Tories. And while it off f fered the best health service in the western world for 40 years, the campaign to get rid of it never ended.

Thatcher wanted to privatise, but a Cabinet riot stopped her. So she appointed Sainsbury’s boss Roy Griffffiths to “rreform m”” the NHS m NHS.

INVISIBLE He brought in a new managerial class dedicated to running the service like a business. This was the fi first step on the road.

The health service was to be a “business operation n”” with management, not the patient, at its heart.

Dr James Le Fanu, a doctor at Whipps Cross, saayys in the fi film that Griffffiths “introduced a new class in the health service, a management class that hadn’t existed before”. He adds: “Doctors were stripped off power...

“They were told how to run wards. It was a serious blow w..”

Thatcher also listened to US economist Alain Enthoven, who believed the only way to meet patient demand was to bring in so-called market competition.

Profe fessor Allyson Pollock, an expert in the fi field, says: “When you bring in a market, instead of f d going funds i into i t services i and d staffff, it is diverted aw away ay... As soon as the government brought in an internal market, the administration cost doubled overnight.

“All the evidence shows that you “A can n’t deliver universal healthcare through a market. Markets render the people who don n’’t get care – the poor, the old, the people with disabilities – invisible.”

Marketisation also brought in management consultants to ad dvvise on NHS changes, charging exorbitant fe fees. When their ad dvvice proved wrong, w theyy got even more money for ad dvvising how to put it

rigght. Millions, if not billions.

Tony To ny Blair tells the ffiilm-makers: “T There was no bigger challenge fo for th he incoming Labour government off 1997 than the NHS..”

His fi first Health Secretary, y, Frank Dobson, agrees: “It was underfu unded, understaffffed and a lot of hoospitals were very run down.”

But because Chancellor Gordon Brrown had promised not to bo borrow mo neyy,, Labour Labo vastly tl expanded the private finance initiative, introduced byy the T Toories in 1992, to rebuild the hospitals.

This was music to the ears of managers, because the private sector put up the buildings and future generations bear the cost.

And handing hospitals to the private sector is no panacea, as the failure off Hinchingbrooke, under managgeement byy Circle, showed.

The Tories’ return in 2010 brought hard-liner Andrew Lansley as Health Secretary. y.

He brought in the Health and Social Care Bill 2011, seen byy man nyy as taking the NHS on to the ffiinal stretch to privatisation.

He took awayy the Health Secretary’s ultimate responsibility to provide a national health service for all. “It reallyy was the end off the national service,,” saayys Proff Pollock.

The T Toories’ coalition partner, a the Lib Dems, initially opposed the bill. “A “At its heart was privatisation, privatisation” Lad dyy Shirley Williams admitted to the fi film-makkeers. But they caavved in, and the 2012 Act laid d down that all NHS services should be subject to competitive tender, bringing private companies into the whole range of public healthcare.

There was outcry from doctors and nurses, but behind the scenes lobbying ffiirms working for private sector companies like Virgin and Circle had the ear off Lansley’s policy team. They kept the T Toories on the privatisation track.

The next step was to transfe fe r control off the NHS to new Th i

management. The service was divided into smaller regional systems, under private or public control, with powers to decide what services will be av availab able and who will provide them.

In 2017, 43% off the total value of these contracts went to the private sector. Virgin won over a billion pounds worth off NHS business.

Lord Dav avid Owen, a doctor and former health minister minister, claims the Lansley reforms are preparing the NHS “surreptitiously for the m”.

United States health care system In the US, around 30 million people go without health care.

Jeremy Hunt intensifi f i ed the drive inherited from Lansley and crushed a revolt by junior doctors against his handling off the NHS. The legacy off the Toryy years of creeping privatisation is a health service in dire straits. Dr Phil Hammond , physician and commentator, saayys: “We We’re killing the people we ask to care for us. If we compare with an airline, the NHS takes off ff with unsaffee staffffing levels, with a hole in the fuselage and half a wing missing every day ay.”

Lord Lansley said: “The 2012 Act does not marketise the NHS. Myy motivation was to strengt gthen the independence of the NHS from frequent political interfe ference, while making accountability to minister and Parliament more transpar a ent.” ly disaDoctors and nurses totally gree. Mr Johnson claims that in post-Brexit UK/US trade talks the NHS “won n’t be on the table”. Like most else he saayys, this is a lie. US private health ffiirms are already operating in our health service.

They want more, and will not rest until we have a privatised system that serves those who haavve and ignores those who haavve not.

The warning is clear in Under The Knife, which should be compulsoryy viewing in all schools so the coming generation knows what is being stolen from them.

tpr media consultants – July 2019

■ There are over 50 free screenings of U Un nder The K Kn niffee across the UK. Book free tickets at underthekniffefi efilm.co.uk/screenings/ features@mirrorr..co.uk @DailyMirror

S

CLEAR CUT Experts say health service has been at risk for years

HO HOSPIT OSP SPITA TA TAL AL Dad A Dad confr onfronts onts Johns Jo ohnso on o n

CHALLENGE Blair in documentary

tpr media consultants – July 2019

ALISON STEADMAN ON N FILM SHE HO OPES WILL SAV AVE NH HS

My mum had cancer butt she was put p in a geriatric ward. Ther T e were no staff, patients ed, iit was were ignored a nightmare... we are losing our NHS ar TIME TO FIGHT...

GAV GA VIN & ST TA ACEY

Alison is passionate about NHS

Alison as Pam with Larry Lamb as Mick

MUM

A younger Alison with Marjorie

EXCLUSIVE

BY RHIAN LUBIN

A

lison Steadman watched helplessly as her mother laayy dying from pancreatic cancer on an understaffffed ward.

It was one off the most painful expefe and inspired riences of the actress’s life her to become the voice off a powerful nvvestigates new documentary which in how the NHS is being dismantled.

The Gavin & Stacey star doesn’t point the ffiinger at any off the hardworking staffff for her mother’s plight b l h bl fi l fi h d

but lays the blame firmly at the door off successive Toryy governments who y. have bled the service dry.

Off mum Marjorie she says: “The worst thing was, because she was 80, she was put in a geriatric ward.

“The hospital was underfunded, understaffffed and under pressure.

“Patients were literally ignored. It was heartbreaking.

“She was veryy ill and she felt sick all dying of cancer. the time. She was dy “I kept going up to the desk and asking them to go and help her.

“It had been an hour and nobody my heart.” had come round. It broke my Marjorie, who was diagnosed in

tpr media consultants – July 2019

1994 and died two years later aggeed 82, spent a week on the “chaotic” NHS ward in Liverpool where Alison also saaw w other patients suff ffering.

She saayys the ffeew staffff were so overworked she found herself havingg to help other vulnerable patients. n’’t have any staffff. Yo You “They didn n’’t get medication until the trolley didn came round at certain times.

You only got attention for food and “Yo there was nobody dy to help feed them. them

I

t was a nightmare. There was a lady dy brought in and she’’d had a stroke. It was the saddest thing. This woman had false teeth and she had glasses.

“Because it had been an emergency she’’d forgotten to bring them with her. n’’t eat.

“So this poor woman couldn w She could only She couldn’t chew. n’’t see propmake sounds. She couldn y. She had no family. y. erly.

“She was just sitting in this bed. They came round and gaavve her tablets, just plonked them on the table next to n’’t even have her, she didn an nyy water to swallow them with. I had to go over to help feed her. It simply broke your heart.”

Alison, 73, is grateful her mum was eventually moved to a Marie Curie hospice, off which she is an ambassador, instead of aying on the ward. stay But she knows not everyone is as fortunate.

“I feel veryy passionately about the fact we’re losing our NHS,,” says Alison, who grew up in Childwall, Liverpool.

“There’s no waayy people can saayy we’re not because we are. It’s a very slow dual process. grad “The core off the problem is the private sector creeping in more and more. It started quite a long time ago and it’s ruining Nye Bevan’s wonderful creation.

“Boris Johnson needs to sit down film – and watch something like this fi though he never would.”

More than 60 contributors – politi-

cians and leadingg medics – were interviewed for the doocumentary Under Kniffee which next week begins a The Kn series off free screeenings around the y. country.

Those featured include former PM Tonyy Blair, Shadoow Chancellor John McDonnell, Lord Owen, Gina Miller field QC. and Michael Manssfi ays Alison: “I’m m onlyy an observer.

Say The woman who made this film, producer Pam Kleinot, she was seeing things changing over the years and how they were failing when she worked in the health service. film is what we need to “This fi highlight all the problems.

“I had private healthcare for yyeears as a backk--up. I’ve got rid off it now because I realise that is undermining our health service. They are just making moneyy,, they’re not caring for us.”

The fi film, supported by campaign group Keep Our NHS Public, also touches on how our NHS will be at the mercy off the American ffiirms after ave the EU Brexit, particularlyy if we leav without a deal.

Alison, who voted Remain, is angry at the state off the UK in the aftermath ferendum... and angry at what off the refe it means for the NHS. She saayys: “The private companies who make drugs will try and keep it to the maximum price so they can make trillions.

“E “Everyone who h h has th the ill illness needs d the drug but the company are making y. This is the realityy of so much money. what we’re facing.

We need a system that is aw away ay from “We profi fit-making and is focused on giving people proper care, where everyone is equal and entitled to this care.

“I just think our country is a total mess. I am embarrassed to be British.

“The rest off Europe and the world is looking at us going ‘What are they doing?’

“Since we joined the EU I’ve loved beingg European, beingg part off Europe.

With the history we’ve got, after the War, here we are all Second World Wa d

tpr media consultants – July 2019

hey love each oth her.” As fo for her own

united.

“It makes me so sad.

We should want to work We towards being united, not divided.”

Politics aside, it’s been an extremely busy year for Alison.

Today she’s nipped back home to North London, where she lives with partner Michael Elwyn, for just one night before returning to Manchester to carry on filming for a new BBC series, Liffee, fi written byy Doctor Foster writer Mike Baartlett. And she recently ffiinished fill ming for the Gavin & Stacey Chri stmas sp ecial , where she will revive the role off Pam Shipman to the delight off fans.

“Pam Pam is so special to me,” she saayys, beaming.

F when I read the “From first script I just thought fi ‘This is reallyy good’. “ I a lw ay s kn o w away ay if it’s somestraight aw thing I want to do.

“I can hear it in my head when I read it. And a straight I could hear Pam away. But we were all 100% conv nvinced it would never happen. I alwaayys used

life fe, the star saayys shee won’t n be giving up acting any time soon although she admits she has had to slow down in recent years.

“I still haavve to travel a lot for work but I am still healtthy – touch wood,” she laughs as she kn nocks on the table.

“It’s the old acttors’ thing, you’re either in the moneyy or out off it.

“And oh, how I lovve it.

“A it Id I’’d never wantt to give up, howeverr long I’ve got left.

“Though I do get tired now w,, learning lines is a chore.

“I used to be ablee to do it in an hour but now I need a brreak.

“But I still feel veeryy luckkyy and privileged to be doing wh w at I am doing.” rhhian.lubin@mirrorr..co.uk @rhianlubin

g

k n d l

PM Bor B riiss Johnson should ssiitt down an nd wa attch th his.. bu utt h he e won’t ALISON STEADMA AN ON POWERFUL DOCUM MENTARY

n

to say leave well alone. But then, y, I got this message from Ruth suddenly, Jones.

Would you consider doing a “It said ‘Wo Christmas special?’ I was like ‘What!’ I n’’t believe it. just couldn We were all a bit hysterical, hugging, “We kissing, laughing, crying.

We had two or three day ays round the “We table having Christmas dinner.

“There was a lot off banter going on, a lot off gags, particularly from Rob Brydon. I hope people do like it. The thi about thing b t it, it and d what h t I’ve I’ e allwaayys fe felt about Gavin & Staceyy,, is that there’s warmth there.

“They might row, theyy might get upset, but you know underrneath it all h l h h ” f h

tpr media consultants – July 2019

OnlyyLabou y urr can restore t national treasure’s health h

By KEN LOACH

Bafta-award winning film m director IT’S a hugely important film m because it explains why the NHS is on its knees.

The danger is not only insufficient move all the funding but we need to rem private contractors, which are a in effect privatising it. t original We’ve got to get back to the principles, because it’s the most m efficient.

There’s a moral question too – why ake money should big corporations ma out of our healthcare and lo ooking after our children? Does Richard Branson W Indies? need another island in the West No, he doesn’t.

MESSAGE Ken and d Alison at screening

OWNERSHIP P We need proper funding and proper n, where public ownership of it again everyone has a direct contrract from the health service, from catterers to cleaners to consultants.

We do not want a system m like America. We know it’s masssively unequal. It’s massively ineffficient and gives massive profits to a fe ew people.

That’s the opposite of wh hat Nye Bevan’s dream was and we’ve got to make that dream a reality again. a The election coming up iss critical.

People have got to get out and a vote Labour – that way, y, we can restore the National Health Service.

If we don’t win, we shall lo ose it.

■ There are over 50 free screenings s of Under The Knife across s the nation from Monday to Friday next week.

For tickets, visit underthe Fo eknifefilm. co.uk//s screenings

tpr media consultants – July 2019

Picture: PHILIP COBURN N

Underfundded hospital failed my mum annd now the NHHS is in criticaal condition Watching her mother die, Alison Steadman witnessed first-hand the ‘heartbreaking’ treatm ment of ignored elderly patients

By Rhian Lubin

A

LISON Steadman a helplessly as her watched mother lay in a hospital bed, dying from pancrea cancer. atic But it was seeing her mum Marjorie neglected and ignored on a Live verpool hospital w was one of the most ward which

painfful experiences of her life.

Sh he doesn’t point the finger at any of the hard-working hard working staff. staff Insteead the Gavin And Stacey actreess lays the blame firmly aatt the door d of government.

“T The worst thing was because Th she was w 80 she was put in a geriatsays Alison, now 73. ric ward,” w

tpr media consultants – July 2019

DM1ST

letters@mirrorr..co.uk @kevin_magu uire

KEVIN MAGUIRE E »

h

Stalking the corridors of pow poow wer we

f

CONSERVA VATIVE hospital claims do not add up, but, Labour’s health spokesman, Jonathan Ashworth, is enjjoying rraave reviews from NHS campaigners. At the premiere off Under thee Knife, a compelling film fighting To Tory cuts, the Leicester MP was haailed as the first Shadow Health Secretary to fully grraasp why a wasteful inteernal market needs axing.

Don’t tell Corbyn’s camp. They might fire Gordon Brown’s clever mentee.

fl

tpr media consultants – July 2019

The Surrg gery ery D O C T O R’ S D I A RY

Teeam mw work isn’t alw waays good for the patient

James Le F Fa anu wo heads are better than one,” CS Lewis once one, remarked, “not because ‘T either is infallible, but they are unlikely to go wrong in the same direction.” And, when it comes to making important clinical decisions, a dozen heads are better still – a multidisciplinary team (MTD) of physicians, radiologists, surgeons, radiotherapists, pathologists, all meeting together, bringing their collective expertise to bear on the preferred course of action. Who could argue with that?

Back in the Noug ghties, BM MJJ senior editor Dr Tessa Richards had the misfortune of ha av ving two bouts of cancer, warranting first a ma ajjor i d di h d

operation and radiotherrapy, and, subsequently, thoracic surgery s to remove a couple of metastases in her lungs. She was thus und derstandably distressed to learn three e years ago that she had had a further re ecurrence.

There were, her surg geon suggested, several treatment options and he would write to her once e he had reflected further. His letter never came. Instead, six week ks later, a junior doctor in another deparrtment wrote to inform her that her case e had been discussed at an MDT meeting (as it is known), where w it had be een decided she should have a coursse of chemo. If this shrunk the tumourr, surgery would then be considered. n research, Dr Having done her own Richards had already de ecided against another toxic course off chemo – but w what she found really in nfuriating was that all this had been de ecided on by a group of doctors she ha ad never met and who knew nothing g of her preferences and priorities.

She soon discovered that, since her previous bouts of cance er, this had become standard practiice – the MDT meet to review up to 40 0 cases in a morning: the relevant sscans are shown, test results disc cussed, views exchanged and decision ns rapidly d ll i th f f i t

tpr media consultants – July 2019

No need to spend p It does not augur well that the Prime Minister ’s spending plans already announced will double the budget deficit and now match those of Jeremy Corbyn. The Health Service predictably is a maajjor beneficiary of his largesse, with an extra £2 billion to add to the £140 billion annual expenditur dit e – a stagg t ering i fivefo f ld increase (an additional £110 billion) compared to 25 years ago.

For all the protestations to the contrary, the Health Service’s difficulties are not financial, but cultural and organisational – stemming from the series of radical (but poorly thoug ght-out) reforms inflicted on it by Tory and Labour administration since 1989.

The many adverse consequences of overregulation, box-ticking and lack of accountability are potentially correctable without spending an extra penny – a worthy project that regrettably will not feature in the

and that. Over the past couple of years, he has become tearful at the slig gh htest provocation – listening to music, reading a sentimental poem, or seeing distressing images on the news.

Recently, he was quite unable to deliver the eulog gy y at a friend’s funeral. “ While not ashamed of weeping in public, to do so often with little inducement is extremely embarrassing,” he writes. Mig gh ht there be any hints as to how he can regain emotional control?

Email medical questions confidentially to Dr James Le Fanu at drjames@telegraph.co.uk

‘This had been decided on by a group of doctors… who knew nothing of her preffe p erences’

GETTY IMAGES/IS STOCKPHOTO

made, all in the space of a fe few minutes.

The voices of those favouring more aggressive treatment tend to dominate over the more cautious, and the patients’ views go unheard. This, then, is the flip side of collective decisionmaking, whatever its putative merits.

Dr Richards maintains that patients should insist there should be “no decision about me, without me” and the responsibility for any decision should rest not with some shadowy “ team”, but the consultant in charge of their care.

Queen’s Speech. Meanwhile, next week, the much-praised documentary Un Under th the Knifee,, on the trials and tribulations of the NHS, is being screened for free across the country.

Check undertheknifefilm.co.uk for the nearest venue.

Driven to tears

Getting tear ful: how can a man who has become prone to cr ying regain control?

Finally, this week’s query comes courtesy of a self-confessed alpha male in Dorset running his own business, active in local politics, chairman of this

tpr media consultants – July 2019

The Morning Star

tpr media consultants – July 2019

Specialist publications and Online Live for Films (blog) Emmy Award-winning director, Susan Steinberg on her documentary about the dismantling of the NHS: Under the Knife Narrated by award-winning actor Alison Steadman and endorsed by film director Ken Loach, Under The Knife is a 90-minute documentary unearthing how the NHS arrived at its modern-day crisis. From its stormy birth through seven decades of turmoil and political warfare, it has withstood almost everything that has confronted it, until now. Yet crucially, the film gives hope to those fighting to keep the NHS for future generations. Susan Steinberg's film Under The Knife – an investigative film about the systematic dismantling of the NHS – will be screened throughout England for FREE in over 50 locations next week (14-18 October).

Susan Steinberg is well known for her work on ‘90 Minutes on 60 Minutes' a film which revealed the real-life story of Jeffrey Wigand, the man who blew the whistle on Brown & Williamson for knowingly adding carcinogens to cigarettes – it was later adapted into a feature film starring Russell Crowe.

How did it come about?

Pam Kleinot, who had worked for many years in the NHS, asked me to join her in making a film about the health service in crisis. I also had worked in the NHS and knew this venerable institution had reached its breaking point. I had made other politically charged films in the United States and was eager to take on the challenge.

What attracted you to the project?

I was born in the USA but moved to the UK twenty years ago, so I have witnessed the enormous social changes here that have brought about the current crisis. Like many people, I wanted to understand how we got into this position, and what we could do about changing it. People say that the NHS has the status of a religion in the UK. I wanted to understand how and why this brilliant institution was moving slowly but surely towards an American-style health system. Our film, Under The Knife, makes explicit the politics behind this move. The film shows how the NHS emerged from, and continues to be shaped by, social and political upheaval, from the Second World War to today. The story brings us to today's turning point, where choices we make will have an impact on generations to come.

You are an Emmy-award winning director – what documentaries have you already made?

I made films on political topics for television in America, including two that were later adapted into feature films: ‘Edward R Murrow, This Reporter' Ed Murrow, America's most revered journalist, who had the courage to tackle Senator Joe McCarthy and was instrumental in his downfall. The documentary was later turned into the feature film ‘Good Night, and Good Luck' by George Clooney.

‘90 Minutes on 60 Minutes', This film revealed the real-life story of Jeffrey Wigand, the man who blew the whistle on Brown & Williamson for knowingly adding carcinogens to cigarettes. The story was then turned into the feature film ‘The Insider' with Russell Crowe.

How did being an outsider, coming to the UK only as an adult, influence your perspective?

One of my mentors was the Swiss-born photographer, Robert Frank, He emigrated to the US after the war and travelled across the country, taking pictures of America's underbelly for his book ‘The Americans', one of the most important photography books of the 20th Century. It was through working with Frank that I learned the value of the outsider's eye and the fresh point of view.

I came to UK with little understanding of the politics in my adopted country. I needed to understand the politics first, in order to figure out how the NHS had gone from being "the envy of the world" to a service that was on its knees. What I discovered became the basis for the s

tpr media consultants – July 2019

tory in Under The Knife.

What surprised you about making the film – what did you discover?

I was most struck by the fragility of a parliamentary democracy and how little power the people had once a government was voted in.

What are your hopes on its release?

The UK is at a turning point in history. My hope is that this film will reach as many people as possible – ideally by being shown on television and in cinemas, hospitals, schools and universities across the country. I hope it will inform people in a way that will turn ideas into action, that's why we have been in partnership with Keep our NHS Public, the successful campaigning organisation which has kept Lewisham hospital open amongst others.

To book a free screening in one over 50 locations across the country visit: Unattributed [sourcelink]http://www.liveforfilm.com/2019/10/11/emmy-award-winning-director-susan-steinberg-on-her-documentary-about-the-dismantling-ofthe-nhs-under-the-knife/ [/sourcelink

tpr media consultants – July 2019

Open Democracy (blog)

tpr media consultants – July 2019

tpr media consultants – July 2019

tpr media consultants – July 2019

British Medical Journal (web) Fighting for the NHS: five minutes with... Pamela Kleinot BMJ 2019; 366 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l5782 (Published 30 September 2019) Cite this as: BMJ 2019;366:l5782 The psychotherapist talks about why she remortgaged her property to make a documentary about the NHS, from its creation to right now, and why it needs saving "The documentary Under The Knife is about the undermining and privatisation of the NHS. It looks at what healthcare was like before the NHS, how the NHS came into being, and everything that has happened to it since then. It's to help people understand what has been happening. I think the NHS is one of the greatest institutions humanity has ever made. I'm from South Africa and growing up there was very unequal access to healthcare. My father was a doctor at the largest state hospital in southern Africa and he would always tell me how great the NHS was.

"When I moved to England, I trained as a psychotherapist and group analyst and worked at Holloway Prison and the Women's Therapy Centre. I then went to work for the NHS. When I started, there weren't as many restrictions on how many patients you saw and the length of time you saw them. Then we saw the rise of targets and constant surveillance. I felt like I was working in a factory. I later became head of a mentalisation based therapy service for personality disorder in Newham, London, which was put under consultation. I fought tooth and nail to save the department with just a small team and it survived. But several months later we were told that the service was going to be put under consultation again. It had been such a tough and stressful process that I could not go through it again.

"The pressures you work under today in the NHS are enormous, but I believe it's worth improving, it's worth saving. That's why I made this documentary. Even when I was working in the NHS, I didn't realise what was happening. It was only when I began to research it that I saw the vested interests, how it's used as a political football, and the lies and deception. There's so much of that going on and that motivated me to start this project. I also feel Britain has been very good to me, and I wanted to give something back. Fighting for the NHS feels like the perfect way to do that.

"I took out a lot of loans, including remortgaging my property, to make this documentary. I did raise some money through crowdfunding, and I would have liked to raise all the money that way, but it was difficult and I didn't want to delay it. I wanted to get this story out there. My hope is that it reaches people. I want it to reach the younger generation, who grew up with the NHS and don't remember what it was like before. I want them to understand that people died because they could not afford to go to a doctor. Those were appalling times.

"The documentary is being screened between 14-19 October 2019 in 50 venues across England. These screenings are completely free, you just have to register on our website. And if people want to show the documentary—put on their own screenings in their home, at work, or in their local area—I'm very happy for them to do that. I just want as many people as possible to see it."

Pamela is a former NHS psychotherapist and group analyst, and was the producer of Under The Knife. The website for the documentary—where you can sign up to see the film or ask to put on a local screening—is here undertheknifefilm.co.uk Unattributed [sourcelink]https://www.bmj.com/content/366/bmj.l5782 [/sourcelink

tpr media consultants – July 2019

Health Service Journal (web) The Bedpan: `Under the Knife?? Not really What it is: Under The Knife is a new, crowd-funded and Keep Our NHS Public-supported documentary.

Why it matters: The film presents arguments that the NHS is being deliberately underresourced and privatised. It has been backed by many senior Labour figures and celebrity supporters, and may well play an important role in any forthcoming general election *** “For those who like that sort of thing, that is the sort of thing they like” – Muriel Spark,The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie Having written several times forHSJ about why I don’t buy the NHS privatisation argument,Under The Knife was always set to be a lively watch.

The NHS has used the private sector to deliver healthcare since its inception. GP services have always been supplied by independent contractors. High street dentistry, pharmacy and ophthalmology are all privately provided, as is much higher-tier mental health provision.

The documentary is on solid ground on the underresourcing of the service, going back almost a decade now, and presents some clear-eyed testimony of the impact of austerity. There is no intellectually coherent argument that the NHS has the resources it needs to function safely. There are about 100,000 staff vacancies, nearly 40,000 of them in nursing; and the NHS estates backlog currently runs to the tune of about £6bn.

Access to care is becoming harder and waiting times are rising. The NHS also has problems with a bullying tendency in its culture , and its treatment of whistleblowers remains atrocious.

All of these are big and real problems.

However, privatisation of NHS-funded healthcare is neither a big problem, nor is it a real one. But it is the central charge ofUnder The Knife.

The BBC notes “NHS spending with private sector providers in England was just over £9bn in the 2016-17 financial year– that’s 7.7 per cent of the Department of Health’s revenue budget, a figure similar to the previous year”.

More to the point, the NHS as it currently is does not look like an attractive proposition to the private sector (including to the often cited “giant US healthcare companies”). The implication that a sector of massive public interest, with a near 10 per cent staff vacancy rate and a huge capital backlog constitutes a great business opportunity implies very little understanding of how the private sector works.

‘The end of the NHS’ The film leaves extremely questionable assertions by Allyson Pollock hanging. She claims, for example, the Health and Social Care Act 2012 “really was the end of the National Health Service” – something which might surprise most of its 1.4 million employees.

The film’s arguments about privatisation also take no account whatsoever of current NHS policy , which is focussed on increasing the integration of the NHS– and, by default, removing market mechanisms. The inconvenient truths that the Conservative Party included a commitment to end the internal market in its 2017 manifesto and that Matt Hancock has said he would support NHSE proposed legislation to effectively do that, are simply ignored.

There is neither mention of nor engagement with the several peer-reviewed articles by Carol Propper, Zack Cooper and John Van Reenen showing various performance gains from market mechanisms in the NHS, even once controlling for funding increases.

When the film shifts from healthcare provision to the private finance initiative, it is much more convincing.

Sir Robert Naylor, formerly the chief executive of University College London Hospital Foundation Trust, which has one of the NHS’ biggest PFI redevelopments, says “the problem with PFI is that, although you get the facilities today… the government don’t actually have to pay for them until the future, so the cost is really being borne by future generations”. UCLH is now trying to buy out its PFI and has accused the Treasury of inflexibility .

Indeed, it is now widely accepted PFI provides poor value for money and fails to meaningfully transfer risk. The most recent National Audit Office summary is worth reading.

What PFI successfully did do was get many hospitals built relatively quickly, and without the traditional NHS building cost overruns which ensured UK taxpayers got two hospitals for the price of three. What it failed to do from the taxpayer’s point of view was get the right price for the very low level of risk transferred to contractors, and to anticipate that refinancing the debt element would be extremely lucrative for the (mainly offshore, and so non-taxpaying) PFI operating companies. In other words, it was a cock-up, not a conspiracy.

In any case, even the Conservative Party has now abandoned the idea , so where is the future threat?

Both Andrew Sturdy andPrivate Eye’s Richard Brooks make fair points about the worst tendencies of the Big Four management consultancies.

Number 10 or number one The film begins with the statement: “The NHS was the envy of the world, the gold standard for healthcare… but tod

tpr media consultants – July 2019

ay it has slipped way down in the world ranking. This is the story of how the NHS reached its tipping point.”

Mmmmmm.

The flash of a graphic showing NHS rated 10th in the world cites the Commonwealth Fund’s July 2017 Mirror, Mirror analysis . Of the 11 countries the study analyses, the NHS does indeed rate 10th for outcomes– but in the Commonwealth Fund’s overall ranking, the UK ratesfirst of these 11 countries. This is because the Fund rated it number one for care process and for equity. Nor does the film note that, relative to the other 10 countries, the Commonwealth Fund study has usually rated the NHS poorly for outcomes– important context when you allege it has slipped in the world rankings.

In slightly extraordinary interviews, James Le Fanu and Lord David Owen both mischaracterise the pre-Griffiths running of the NHS. Dr Le Fanu claims in the early 1970s, Whipps Cross “ran itself… there must have been about three or four senior administrators”. This seems extremely improbable.

Lord Owen, meanwhile, talks about the NHS being led by dual hierarchies between civil servants and doctors. This ignores the actual preGriffiths approach to running most NHS organisations, which was ‘three at the top’: the chief’s medical officer, the chief nurse and the chief administrator.

Snobbish doctors Alluding to the reforms set in train by Sainsbury chief executive Sir Roy Griffiths, which created NHS general management as we now know it, Raymond Tallis describes “the grocer’s daughter [who] asked a grocer if he would look at the health service”. The relevance of Margaret Thatcher’s father’s profession is not obvious and there seems to be more than a hint of snobbery about “people in trade” coming into the NHS with their strange ideas.

The snobbish tone continues in Dr Le Fanu’s comments about general management “bringing in a new class within the health service, a managerial class that hadn’t existed there before. The doctors were stripped of their power, so they were no longer involved or consulted. They were told what clinics to do; they were told how to run their wards. It was a serious blow to their self-regard and their sense of themselves as being a liberal profession.”

The ideas that doctors were made compliant and servile by general management is way wide of the mark and will bring a sardonic smile to the lips of manyHSJ readers.

Dr Le Fanu’s comments about doctors’ self-image do hint at the cultural problem in NHS medicine of clinicians resisting the legitimacy of management, an attitude which is still alive and kicking today.

In footage from the press launch of his report, Sir Roy says “not enough is done on the perceptions and requirements of patients as compared to a business operation, where the service to the customer and to the community is in fact paramount and central to the whole management activity”. Putting patients at the centre of the NHS in this way still sounds like a good idea in late 2019 – maybe we should try it?

The film has a number of pertinent errors. Stephen Dorrell is described as serving as a Conservative MP between 1979-1997. In reality, Mr Dorrell served as an MP until 2015, becoming health select committee chair in 2010 – a post in which he proved arguably the most effective critic of the Lansley reforms.

John Appleby of the Nuffield Trust is captioned as “chief columnist”, which is a bit mystifying.

Director Susan Steinberg keeps the film moving at a cracking pace. It is crisply edited (Steinberg was an editor on Robert Frank’s infamous classic film about the Rolling Stones,Cocksucker Blues). Editor Alex Jones has worked regularly for the BBC and the archive material is interwoven skilfully with the narrative. Director of photography David Chilton was nominated for a BAFTA for his work on ITV’sBreadline Britain.

Technically, the film is well-made.

But editorially, its bias is its downfall. There is no mention of the enormous achievement of the managerial-led efforts to reduce waiting times during the New Labour years, in which market mechanisms played some role. The film asserts the 2012 act unlocked a route to NHS privatisation. But, seven years later, that has quite simply not happened and, indeed, appears to be ever more unlikely.

As a polemic,Under The Knife lacks even a fraction of the first-person energy and wit of the films of Michael Moore or Louis Theroux. It’s a shame, as there is ample room to make a good polemical film about the problems facing the NHS. ButUnder The Knife is not it.

If there is any political or influential figure you would likeHSJ to interview (or relevant book/film you’d like us to review), please email alastair.mclellan@wilmingtonhealthcare.com .

Coming up: Domestic abuse campaigner and Labour MP Jess Phillips and Manchester mayor and former health secretary Andy Burnham The past five Bedpans David Cameron’s autobiography Karin Smyth MP

Tory power-broker Danny Finkelstein on Boris Johnson Inequalities guru Sir Michael Marmot Sir Norman Lamp MP You can read all 37 Bedpans here

tpr media consultants – July 2019

Stylist Magazine (web)

Holly Willoughby''s emotional tribute to NHS takes social media by storm People Posted byPublished5 minutes ago"I am full of admiration and respect for anyone who dedicates their life to helping others," said This Morning 's Holly Willoughby. The NHS has been making headlines this week, following a now viral interaction between Boris Johnson and an infuriated father on a hospital ward.

Since then, a new documentary, Under The Knife – which investigates the Conservatives' "suspicious" relationship with the NHS in great detail – has been announced. And now Holly Willoughby – presenter of ITV's This Morning – has thrown her support behind the UK's health service with an emotive post on social media.

Sharing an NHS recruitment video with her Instagram followers, Willoughby wrote: "When you need them, [the NHS is] always there."

The TV presenter continued: "I am full of admiration and respect for anyone who dedicates their life to helping others.

"Thank you to all of our incredible NHS nurses, we are so lucky to have you… [and remember, this is just] some of the incredibly brilliant work our NHS nurses do for patients every day."

Willoughby's post clearly struck a chord with many: it has been shared almost 300,000 times in less than 24 hours, and attracted hundreds of comments, too.

"Brilliant service that everyone takes for granted," wrote one.

"We cannot lose this great service," added another.

And still one more said: "They are amazing, but there are a staggering 40,000 nursing vacancies in England. These huge gaps mean care is left undone… it isn't fair on staff and it isn't safe for patients."

The NHS will last as long as there's folk with faith left to fight for it Earlier this week, the prime minister was confronted at a hospital by Omar Salem, who informed him that the NHS is being "destroyed" under Conservative leadership.

In a powerful exchange lasting almost two minutes, Salem informed the PM: "My daughter nearly died yesterday. The A&E guys were great, but we then came down to this ward here. It took us two hours [for my seven-day-old daughter to be seen].

"That's just not acceptable. This ward is not safe for children. There was one registrar covering the entirety of this ward and the neonatal unit… [and] there are not enough people on this ward, there are not enough doctors, there's not enough nurses, it's not well organised enough.

"The NHS has been destroyed."

Since the incident went viral, some have pointed out that Salem describes himself as a "Labour activist campaigning against Brexit and for a socialist Europe" on his Twitter profile.

Responding to claims that Salem was a "Labour plant", then, Labour General Secretary Jennie Formby tweeted: "Yes Omar Salem is a Labour activist but much more importantly, he's the father of a seven day old baby who is desperately concerned about lack of staff available to care for his daughter. He has every right to criticise Johnson's shameless use of the NHS as a photo-opportunity."

Salem added: "My Labour values are why I back proper support for the NHS. I am not ashamed of them."

tpr media consultants – July 2019

A Royal College of Nursing spokesman has since praised Salem's actions , saying: "Just hours after nursing staff pulled back the curtain on dire shortages across the country, the public is following our request for them to speak up.

"This is not comfortable for anybody but it's a frank conversation the public and politicians need to have and will be a big issue in any forthcoming election. Today's example is a warning to all parties that they need to have clear and meaningful answers on how they'll resolve this crisis."

The PM has also said that he is "glad" Salem confronted him.

"I've been PM for 57 days, part of my job is to talk to people on the ground and listen to what they tell me about the big problems," he tweeted.

"It doesn't matter if they agree with me. I'm glad this gentleman told me his problems. This isn't an embarrassment this is part of my job."

Worried about the NHS? Here Stylist has rounded up six ways you can support the UK's National Health Service , which includes advice on how to write to your local MP and demand action, and where best to volunteer.

In the words of a quote often mistakenly attributed to Nye Bevan, the health minister who oversaw the health service's creation: "The NHS will last as long as there's folk with faith left to fight for it."

Don't miss out: sign up to the Stylist Daily email for a curated edit of brilliant content every day Enter your email address Let's go!

tpr media consultants – July 2019

GP Online (web) NHS documentary spells out threat to future of the health service A documentary film appearing in cinemas across the UK next month tells how the NHS came into existence and became a part of our national identity - but is now under threat as never before. GPs, other health professionals and patients are being urged to sign up to attend one of 50 screenings taking place across the country of Under The Knife - a 90-minute film that warns the publicly-funded NHS has been 'systematically dismantled and undermined'.

The film uses archive footage to look back at the creation of the NHS in the wake of the second world war and its survival over the following seven decades, before turning its gaze to the impact of the 2012 Health and Social Care Act. It warns that the 2012 Act implemented by former health secretary Andrew Lansley was the culmination of three decades of 'covert, creeping privatisation'of the NHS. The film looks too at campaigns to defend the health service - notably the successful campaign that forced Mr Lansley's successor Jeremy Hunt to back down over plans to downgrade Lewisham Hospital, in London.

It also hears from leading doctors, NHS activists and policians, including Dr Phil Hammond, Tony Blair, John McDonnell, George Monbiot, Lord Owen, Gina Miller, Michael Mansfield QC, and Dr Lauren Gavaghan.

NHS warning The film's director Susan Steinberg said:'Like many people, I wanted to understand how we got into the mess we are into today and what we can do about it. Focusing on the NHS, the institution that has been called our national religion, Under The Knife tells that story.

'It's vital to understand the problems and solutions to an institution that has reached breaking point - an institution that is fundamental to our democracy.'

The film, produced in association with Keep our NHS Public and with support from a crowdfunding campaign and donations from health service unions, has been backed by filmmaker Ken Loach - who called it 'a weapon in our struggle to save the NHS'.

He said: 'There should be details of the film in every hospital reception, every GP's waiting room, every community centre.'

The film will be shown in 50 locations across the UK from Brighton to Dumfries from 14-19 October, and is free to attend.

tpr media consultants – July 2019

Regional publications and Online Swindon Advertiser

Special Report: Campaign’s concerns about cuts and creeping priv va atisation

Is the NHS at at break king point? break king point?

Daniel Angelini g daniel.angelini@ne ew wsquesstt.co.uk

G

ROWING fears over the future of the NHS prompted a call to action

by Swindon activists to save the health service.

A sold-out screening of documentary Under the Knife showed a packed Swindon Arts Centre audience the history of the NHS and how it has changed over the decades.

now overstretched by high demand and low staffff levels while simultaneously being dismantled by private companies.

It says bloated administrative

management consultancy teams and a chronic lack of funding during the past few years of austerity have led to extra pressures.

Labour’s prospective Parliamentary candidate for south Swindon Sarah Church said: “W We e all viscerally love the NHS because we know how much it would cost for care if it was not available but we must not take it for granted. “The insidious rise of privatisation and the dreadful Private Finance Initiative schemes that pay for hospitals but are costing us more money in the long-term must go. We should be able to buy back PFIs if they don’t deliver on what is promised. “Hundreds of millions of pounds of public money is spent on management consultancy which has made hospitals less

“We are at a crossroads and must put the NHS back together before it breaks irreparably y. We need to see people who have never been out on the streets protesting before joining us and saying enough is enough.�

Ms Church highlighted IMH’s

Swindon GP surgeries as a prime example of what happens

support struggling practices.

Integrated Medical Holdings no longer looks after any of the surgeries following a surge of complaints from patients and the intervention of the Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group.

Ms Church added: “Because of the way that primary care is run and GP shortages are at such a high level, these surgeries chose to take on a private provider to do its administrative work. “The fact that these services had to be put out to tender puts the NHS at a disadvantage.�

Under the Knife by Keep Our NHS Public was made by veteran medical journalist Pam Kleinot, narrated by Alison Steadman and directed by Susan Steinberg.

Part of it highlighted outcry over the proposed closure of Lewisham Hospital in 2012 and how vocal opposition led to it being kept open.

The co-founder of the successful protest campaign was

especiallly as the town keeps growing. 15,000 people waited over four hours to be seen last year and there t are many staffff vacanciess. People are suffffering and poten ntially dying needlessly and it’s ta aking its toll on the staffff. The NHS does not need reorganissation, it needs cash. “It’s been a political choice by the govern nment not to properly fund it over the last few years.

during au usterity after the Second Wo World Wa War, r, so if we could afffford it then, we can afffford it now. w. “W We e are e a cross-party group and back who we feel would do best with the NHS. “We’ve jjust had the worst

missed ta argets despite staffff doing a fa antastic job and we are looking at a the worst winter

year-long g crisis.�

We all viscerra ally love the NHS... but we w must not tak ke e it for grra anted. We must put the NHS back b together befo fore it breaks irreparably.

Sarah Church

in the screening’s audience and during the Q&A urged Swindon people passionate about helping the health service to echo concerns raised in the documentary y.

Interviews with Labour and Conservative politicians, junior doctors, nurses who saw the start of the NHS and the improvements it made to poorer people’s lives, and former NHS executives talked about their

!

Keep Our NHS Public’s Swindon branch co-founder Samantha Wa Watten talked about issues closer to home.

She said: “Our hospital in Swindon is very small, i ll th t k

Free screenings of Under the Knife

tpr media consultants – July 2019

Daily Mirror (Ulster)

Shields Gazette

Onlyy Labouurr can restore national treasure’s health h

By KEN LOACH

Bafta-award winning film m director IT’S a hugely important film m because it explains why the NHS is on its knees.

The danger is not only insufficient move all the funding but we need to rem private contractors, which are a in effect privatising it. t original We’ve got to get back to the principles, because it’s the most m efficient.

There’s a moral question too – why ake money should big corporations ma out of our healthcare and lo ooking after our children? Does Richard Branson W Indies? need another island in the West No, he doesn’t.

OWNERSHIP P

Wilts and Gloscester Standard

We need proper funding and proper n, where public ownership of it again everyone has a direct contrract from the health service, from catterers to cleaners to consultants.

We do not want a system m like America. We know it’s masssively unequal. It’s massively ineffficient and gives massive profits to a fe ew people.

That’s the opposite of wh hat Nye Bevan’s dream was and we’ve got to make that dream a reality again. a The election coming up iss critical.

People have got to get out and a vote Labour – that way, y, we can restore the National Health Service.

If we don’t win, we shall lo ose it.

■ There are over 50 free screenings s of Under The Knife across s the nation from Monday to Friday next week.

For tickets, visit underthe Fo eknifefilm. co.uk//s screenings

MESSAGE Ken and d Alison at screening

tpr media consultants – July 2019

Stroud News and Journal

Stroud News and Journal (web) Free screening of film spelling out threat to NHS'' future STROUD'S Lansdown Hall is hosting a free screening of a documentary film which tells how the NHS came into existence and became a part of the UK's national identity - but is now under threat as never before. Under The Knife will be shown on Monday, October 14 at 7.30pm.

Narrated by award-winning actor Alison Steadman and endorsed by film director Ken Loach, the 90-minute film warns that the publicly-funded NHS has been ‘systematically dismantled and undermined'.

The film promises to "uncover the covert, creeping privatisation of the NHS in the past three decades culminating in a law which removed the legal duty of the government to provide universal health care."

The film highlights how campaigners have fought to defend NHS hospitals and services threatened with closure through the courts.

Filmmaker Ken Loach said: "This film is a weapon in our struggle to save the NHS. "Armed with the evidence so eloquently provided here, we can win this battle."

Tony O'Sullivan, co-chair of Keep Our NHS Public, said: "This film gives hope to those who are campaigning to keep the NHS safe for our children."

The Lansdown Hall event is one of 50 free screenings around the country.

The evening is set to include a Q&A with speakers from the Keep Gloucestershire's NHS Public and the Restore Emergency At Cheltenham Hospital (REACH) campaigns, plus Hannah Basson, secretary of the Gloucester Area Health Branch, Unite the Union.

Book free tickets via: undertheknifefilm.co.uk/screenings

Sunderland Echo

tpr media consultants – July 2019

Hackney Gazette

Gloucester Echo

FOR FREE Thursday, October 10 II-MMIGRA MMIGRA ATE EXHIBITION Cheltenham Town Hall, 9am-8.30pm Âť An exhibition that tells the personal stories of people who settled in Cheltenham from Africa and those of the Windrush generation.

STORIES IN THE P PA ARK: MERMAIDS AND PIRA AT TES! Cirencester Library, 11.30am-noon, eventbrite.co.uk Âť Join us for some wonderful stories about mermaids and pirates in the bandstand of Cirencester Abbey grounds.

Friday, y, October 11 GUILD CRAFTS CHEL LTENHAM The Gardens Gallery, Cheltenham, 10am-6pm Âť As part of The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival, The Gloucestershire Guild of Craftsmen will be hosting a selling fair of exceptional contemporary crafts across all media.

Saturdayy, October 12 Saturday, CODE CLUB Longlevens Library, 11.30am-12.30pm, eventbrite.

Halifax Evening

co.uk Âť This event is for nine to 13-year-olds to learn to make their ow wn computer games.

DUNGEONS AND DR RAGONS CLUB Dursley Library, 1.30pm-4ppm, eventbrite.co.uk Âť Head to Dursley Lib brary to play Dungeons and Dragons.

Sunday, Octoberr 13 HA ATTON COURT WE EDDING SHOW Hatton Court Hotel, 11am-3pm, eventbrite.co.uk Âť An award-winning vvenue, licensed for ceremonies, with styliish bedrooms and a locally sourced, well-rrenowned restaurant.

Monday, y, Octoberr 14 UNDER THE KNIFE Lansdown Hall, 7pm-9.30ppm  The NHS is seriously ill. Investigative film, Under the Knife, tells the chilling story of how Britain’s publiccly funded national healthcare system ha as been systematically dismantled and underrmined.

Wednesday, y, Octtober 16 RHYMETIME Bishops Cleeve Library, 100.30am-11am, eventbrite. co.uk Âť Stories, rhymes and colouring for children over 18 months.

0F Z0 '

'Z F-^'0?E ^ Z F0F( - ?0' ' y´ ^Ĺ¤Ć§ÂƒĹŻĂ‰ Ä„ÂƒĹ”Ă‰Ä? ƿċÄ?Ä? šÉ ĄğŸƑċĎÜ ƒ åůÉÉ Ÿ¼ůÉÉĎċĎÜ ğå ƑĄÉ ÂşÄźÂĽĆ§Ä¨Ă‰ÄŽĆ‘ÂƒĹŻÇ… ĹŤhĎºÉů ƑĄÉ =ĎċåÉ åÉŏ ÂƒĆ‘ ÂƒĆ‘ ÑŔĨ ğĎ K¼ƑğšÉů ņƆ¾ ƿĄċ¼Ą ÉDŽŔÄ?ğůÉŸ ƑĄÉ šċůƑĄ ÂƒÄŽÂş Ĺ”ĹŻÄ‹ĆžÂƒĆ‘Ä‹Ĺ¸ÂƒĆ‘ ÂƒĆ‘Ä‹ÄźÄŽ ğå ƑĄÉ F-^Ĺ› dĄÉ ĂĽÄ?Ĩ ċŸ ÄŽÂƒĹŻĹŻÂƒĆ‘Ă‰Âş ƒ šDž ÂƒÂĽĆ‘ÄźĹŻ Ä?ċŸğĎ ^Ć‘Ă‰ÂƒÂşÄ¨ÂƒÄŽĹ› 'ğů ÂşĂ‰Ć‘ÂƒÄ‹Ä?Ÿ ƞċŸċƑ ƿƿƿś ƧĎºÉůƑĄÉĚĎċåÉ åÉüÄ?Ä¨Ĺ›ÂĽÄźĹ›Ć§ÄšĆŒ ÄšĆŒ Ÿ¼ůÉÉĎċĎÜś

The York Press

NHS film to be shown at Y Yo ork cinema c A CAMP PA AIGN group in York for the National Health Service will be showing a film about the history of the NHS. The campaign group, Defend our NHS Yo York, will present the lm, "#nder the $nife’, at City Screen, Yo York, on October 19, which reveals "the hidden story of the undermining of the NHS over the past 30 years’.

A spokesman for the group said: “Set up in 1948 in the

aftermath of World War Two, when the country was blitzed and bankrupt, the NHS had a stormy birth, but became the most valued and successful of all British institutions – sometimes called the "nearest thing we have to a religion’. It has contributed to improved life expectancy for everyone and underpinned decades of growing prosperity y. It has withstood almost everything

tthat has confronted it, over the p past 70 years of turmoil and p political warfare, until now. w.�

The lm is narrated by Alison Steadman and directed by S Emmy award-winner Susan E Steinberg.

S It will be free for visitors w can register to see the who w.. p production by visiting www u undertheknife lm.co.uk York Central MP Rachael Yo M Maskell will attend.

tpr media consultants – July 2019

Kent extra (Thanet)

Harrogate Advertiser

Brent and Kilburn Times

tpr media consultants – July 2019

This is Wiltshire (web) SPECIAL REPORT: Is the NHS at breaking point?

GROWING fears over the future of the NHS prompted a call to action by Swindon activists to save the health service.

A sold-out screening of documentary Under The Knife showed a packed Swindon Arts Centre audience the history of the NHS and how it has changed over the decades.

The film argues that the NHS is now overstretched by high demand and low staff levels while simultaneously being dismantled by private companies.

It says bloated administrative costs caused by inefficient management consultancy teams and a chronic lack of funding during the past few years of austerity have led to extra pressures.

Labour's prospective Parliamentary candidate for south Swindon Sarah Church said: "We all viscerally love the NHS because we know how much it would cost for care if it was not available but we must not take it for granted.

"The insidious rise of privatisation and the dreadful Private Finance Initiative schemes that pay for hospitals but are costing us more money in the long-term must go. We should be able to buy back PFIs if they don't deliver on what is promised.

"Hundreds of millions of pounds of public money is spent on management consultancy which has made hospitals less efficient.

"We are at a crossroads and must put the NHS back together before it breaks irreparably. We need to see people who have never been out on the streets protesting before joining us and saying enough is enough."

Ms Church highlighted IMH's disastrous management of five Swindon GP surgeries as a prime example of what happens when private firms step in to support struggling practices.

Integrated Medical Holdings no longer looks after any of the surgeries following a surge of complaints from patients and the intervention of the Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group.

Ms Church added: "Because of the way that primary care is run and GP shortages are at such a high level, these surgeries chose to take on a private provider to do its administrative work.

"The fact that these services had to be put out to tender puts the NHS at a disadvantage."

MP: NHS documentary sends 'alarmist message' that is 'not accurate' Under The Knife by Keep Our NHS Public was made by veteran medical journalist Pam Kleinot, narrated by Alison Steadman and directed by Susan Steinberg.

Part of it highlighted outcry over the proposed closure of Lewisham Hospital in 2012 and how vocal opposition led to it being kept open.

The co-founder of the successful protest campaign was in the screening's audience and during the Q&A urged Swindon people passionate about helping the health service to echo concerns raised in the documentary.

Interviews with Labour and Conservative politicians, junior doctors, nurses who saw the start of the NHS and the improvements it made to poorer people's lives, and former NHS executives talked about their first-hand experience.

Keep Our NHS Public's Swindon branch co-founder Samantha Watten talked about issues closer to home.

She said: "Our hospital in Swindon is very small, especially as the town keeps growing. 15,000 people waited over four hours to be seen last year and there are many staff vacancies. People are suffering and potentially dying needlessly and it's taking its toll on the staff. The NHS does not need reorganisation, it needs cash.

"It's been a political choice by the government not to properly fund it over the last few years. The NHS was first established during austerity after the Second World War, so if we could afford it then, we can afford it now.

"We are a cross-party group and back who we feel would do best with the NHS. "We've just had the worst summer figures ever in terms of missed targets despite staff doing a fantastic job and we are looking at the worst winter figures coming up so it's now a year-long crisis."

GWH theatre staff resisting private ward shift extension, Unison rep claims

tpr media consultants – July 2019

SheďŹƒeld Star (web) NHS `crisis'' laid bare in new documentary to be shown at Sheffield cinema Stock photo.

Under The Knife, a documentary by Emmy award-winning filmmaker Susan Steinberg, will have its Sheffield premiere at the Abbeydale Picture House on Wednesday evening.

The film shows the history of the NHS from its stormy birth to the present day, making the case that the service is under threat like never before.

Ruth Milsom, secretary of Sheffield Save Our NHS, the city-based campaign group who have arranged the screening, said the film was essential viewing.

Sign up to our daily newsletter The i newsletter cut through the noise She said: "Nationally, NHS privatisation is a creeping phenomenon with companies like Virgin Health and Optum getting their foot in the door, the revolving door of directors moving from the private to public sector and the influence of lobbyists.

"Looking more locally, we had the campaign the save the minor injuries unit and walk-in centre and the hospital services review which recommended closing or scaling back some services - fortunately they seem to have backed away from that.

"It is about keeping up the pressure on the Government and NHS England. Everyone would be horrified if they knew how deeply it was under threat. People really love it but we need to keep fighting for it."

Tonight's Sheffield screening of the 90-minute documentary is just one of 50 across the country this week.

The film - which is narrated by award-winning actor Alison Steadman - includes interviews with more than 60 people from front line staff to senior politicians.

Ruth said the documentary also included case studies from around the UK where campaigners had successfully fought to save services.

"Nationally there are so many campaign groups so things like this help knit it all together," she said.

"It is really helpful to see what is going on in other parts of the country and how the piecemeal attacks on the service add up to something much more worrying."

Under The Knife is being screened by Sheffield Save Our NHS (SSONHS) on Wednesday October 16 at 7pm in the Abbeydale Picture House.

Unattributed [sourcelink]https://www.thestar.co.uk/health/nhs-crisis-laid-bare-new-documentary-be-shown-sheffield-cinema-815298 [/sourcelink

tpr media consultants – July 2019

Warwick Courier (web) Free screening in Leamington of Investigative documentary film covering "privatisation" of NHS The South Warwickshire Keep Our NHS Public campaign group is holding a free screening of investigative documentary film Under The Knife in Leamington on Tuesday (October 15).

The screening will take place at the Spa Centre from 7.30pm.

Group shot of those who came to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the NHS at Leamington Town Hall in July 2018.

Tony O'Sullivan, Co-Chair of Keep Our NHS Public, says: "This is the best film around on the NHS. Under The Knife shows the vital importance of the NHS to society and exposes the dark threats facing it.

"But most important of all, the film gives hope to those who are campaigning to keep the NHS safe for our children.

"You just have to see it."

Narrated by award-winning actor, Alison Steadman, and endorsed by Bafta-winning film director Ken Loach, Under The Knife is a 90-minute documentary that tells the story of "how the NHS arrived at its present-day crisis".

Ken said: "Under The Knife is to be screened nationally in 50 venues - locations include London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leamington, Newcastle, Liverpool, and Brighton.

"From its stormy birth, through seven decades of turmoil and political warfare, it has withstood almost everything that has confronted it – until now.

"Films, like words, can be weapons..

"This film is a weapon in our struggle to save the NHS. "There should be details of the film in every hospital reception, every GP's waiting room, every community centre."

The film ends on hope, illustrating how communities, health care professionals and campaigners have successfully fought to defend hospitals and services threatened with closure through the courts, in council chambers and on the streets. # In March this year, Keep Our NHS Public saved Ealing and Charing Cross hospitals after seven years of struggle.

They have followed in the footsteps of the people of Lewisham who also won against the government. The battle rages on as NHS services around the country close or are at serious risk, while private companies are creeping into the system, most disgracefully in mental health.

Using interviews and archive footage, the film charts the history of the NHS, from when it arose out of the ashes of post-war Britain to today.

The influence of privatisation and effects of cuts.

Aneira Thomas, the first NHS baby, named after the founder of the NHS, Aneurin Bevan said: "We were left a legacy by Aneurin Bevan, and together we will not let it slip away.

"The NHS represents morality, conscience, and equality.

Under The Knife shows how it must be rescued from being privatised at all cost.

tpr media consultants – July 2019

Sheffield Telegraph

London News online

What''s On: Free Film Show ? Under the Knife ? portrayal of an attack on the NHS A film Under The Knife , is a graphic portrayal of an attack on the NHS also featuring the Lewisham Hospital victory.

There will be free screenings next week across London – but book in advance at the Ritzy in Brixton on Saturday, October 19, and at the Whirled Cinema on Thursday, October 17 www.whirledcinema.com .

There are also screenings at the Kino in Bermondsey on October 14 and Goldsmiths College, New Cross, on October 15.

Other London showings: https://undertheknifefilm.co.uk/the-film/ There is also a rally outside Lewisham Hospital at 4.30pm on October 23 organised by Docs not Cops –the organisation opposed to asking patients for their passports and immigration papers

tpr media consultants – July 2019

in partnership with

Under the Knife Powerful film cuts to core of NHS crisis Free screenings from October 14­18, 2019 undertheknifefilm.co.uk/screenings/

The NHS is seriously ill. Investigative film, Under the Knife, tells the chilling story of how Britain’s publicly funded national healthcare system has been systematically dismantled and undermined.

Narrated by award­winning actor, Alison Steadman, and endorsed by film director, Ken Loach, Under the Knife is a 90­minute documentary that tells the story of how the NHS arrived at its present­day crisis.

Under the Knife is to be screened in 50 venues ­ locations include London, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Liverpool, and Brighton. From its stormy birth, through seven decades of turmoil and political warfare, it has withstood almost everything that has confronted it – until now.

“Films, like words, can be weapons. This film is a weapon in our struggle to save the NHS. There should be details of the film in every hospital reception, every GP’s waiting room, every community centre,” said Bafta winning director, Ken Loach In the run­up to Brexit, Pam K Productions, in partnership with Keep Our NHS Public and the Daily Mirror, is hosting a free week­long 'Festival of Screenings' around the country.

“After a successful crowdfunding campaign and branch donations from UNITE, UNISON and TUC, we are taking the film into hospitals, universities and to a cinema near you,” said the film’s producer, Pamela Kleinot.

Former journalist, Kleinot, who worked in the NHS for many years as a psychotherapist, witnessed endless re­organisations, cuts and closures. “I experienced the surveillance, targets for staff and uncertainty that resulted from funding increasingly being cut,” she said. It was this that spurred her on to make the film.

In Under the Knife, Emmy award­winning director Susan Steinberg and Pamela Kleinot uncover the covert, creeping privatisation of the NHS in the past three decades, culminating in the 2012 Health and Social Care Act, which opened the floodgates to private companies.

“Like many people, I wanted to understand how we got into the mess we are into today and what we can do about it. Focusing on the NHS, the institution that has been called our national religion, Under the Knife tells that story. It’s vital to understand the problems and solutions to an institution that has reached breaking point.... an institution that is fundamental to our democracy” said director Susan Steinberg.

The film ends on hope, illustrating how communities, health care professionals and campaigners have successfully fought to defend hospitals and services threatened with closure through the courts, in council chambers and on the streets. In March this year, Keep Our NHS Public campaigners had a victory. They saved Ealing and Charing Cross hospitals after seven years of struggle. They have followed in the footsteps of the people of Lewisham who also won against the government. The battle rages on as hospitals and GP surgeries around the country close or are at serious risk, while private companies are creeping into the system, most disgracefully in mental health.

tpr media consultants – July 2019

Tony O'Sullivan, Co­Chair of Keep Our NHS Public, added: "This is the best film around on the NHS. Under the Knife shows the vital importance of the NHS to society and exposes the dark threats facing it. But most important of all, the film gives hope to those who are campaigning to keep the NHS safe for our children.

You just have to see it."

Using interviews and archive footage, the film charts the history of the NHS, from when it arose out of the ashes of post­war Britain to today. The influence of neoliberal ideas on the NHS led to the introduction of the now discredited private finance initiatives.

Aneira Thomas, the first NHS baby, named after the founder of the NHS, Aneurin Bevan said: “I am the first NHS baby, born at one minute past midnight on the 5th of July 1948, into our national treasure and our proudest achievement; the National Health Service. From my very first breath, and no doubt to my very last the NHS is central to who I am, the preservation of it for future generations is vital. We were left a legacy by Aneurin Bevan, and together we will not let it slip away. The NHS represents morality, conscience, and equality. Under the Knife shows how it must be rescued from being privatised at all cost. The difference between a neglected and privatised service, and good sustainable health care really is life or death.”

Importantly, the documentary has been informed by ordinary people working in the NHS who recognise the urgent need for change. More than 60 people have been interviewed for the film, including frontline doctors, nurses, patients, Dr Phil Hammond, Tony Blair, John McDonnell, George Monbiot, Lord Owen, Gina Miller, Michael Mansfield QC, and Dr Lauren Gavaghan.

In the run­up to Brexit, this film is screening for FREE in over 50 venues across the country. Register here for a FREE ticket undertheknifefilm.co.uk/screenings For press enquiries contact tpr media Sophie Toumazis at sophie@tpr­media.com or Rasha Ali­Sheikh at rasha@tpr­media.com or Samantha Wathen, Keep our NHS Public on press@keepournhspublic.com

tpr media consultants – July 2019