Health workers and campaigners are being invited to Coventry on June 20 for a unique international meeting to discuss the fightback against privatisation in health care systems around the world.

The one-day event “Condition Critical” is the final open session of a 4-day international conference, which has been called by the International Association of Health Policy in Europe, and supported by Coventry University and a number of organisations.

Participants and guest speakers will be coming from as far afield as Malaysia, Nigeria, Brazil, the US and Canada to take part in the discussions which aim to challenge the marketisation of health care, and expose the role of the media in shaping and controlling public perceptions of government policy.

Speakers on the Saturday will include Ontario health campaigner Natalie Mehra, NUJ Deputy General Secretary Michelle Stanistreet, a BMA speaker, and a speaker from Keep Our NHS Public.

The event, which runs in Coventry University from 10am to 3pm, is free of charge, and offers a free lunch: but those attending are required to register in advance, to secure details of the venue and ensure that adequate catering is available.

Organiser John Lister, a veteran health campaigner who also teaches health journalism at Coventry University, said:

“This event, following on the more detailed debate we will have at the conference, is a one-off chance for campaigners and health trade unionists to hear first-hand about the situation in other countries around the world, and to compare notes on the success of campaigning tactics in fighting back.

“Sadly, the problems we face in England are not unique: other health services are going down the same road of marketisation. So we need to link up internationally and maximise the resistance to policies which lack any evidence, and which threaten to undermine successful and popular health services.”

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