John Lister

John Lister of London Health Emergency is a writer and academic who has campaigned against NHS cutbacks and privatisation for almost 30 years. He has taught journalism and health policy at Coventry University, is a founder member of Keep Our NHS Public, and a board member of the International Association of Health Policy.

If our government won’t act to save our NHS this winter, this is what we must do

NHS plans across England masquerade as ‘integration’ – but this autumn campaigners will meet to expose the reality now unfolding, of bed closures, private takeovers and a US-inspired system.

By John Lister

/ 19 Sep 2017

Councillors must look before they leap into secret NHS cuts plans

Jeremy Hunt can no longer pretend he's following 'the NHS's own plan'. Expect fierce local battles ahead.

By John Lister

/ 25 Oct 2016

Is the new 'collaboration' in the NHS merely a way to make cuts?

It's hard to see how the latest NHS reorganisation now secretively underway does anything other than put the accountants in charge, and balance sheets ahead of patient care.

By John Lister

/ 25 Jul 2016

NHS staff shortage “shock”…

The Beeb claimed a scoop in investigative journalism this week – but its findings were no shock to most people.

By John Lister

/ 3 Mar 2016

Maternity review 'nothing more than a pretext for privatisation'

The proposal to shift maternity funding into 'personal budgets' for pregnant women, is a formula for chaos and destablising core maternity services, warn campaigners.

By John Lister

/ 23 Feb 2016

Jeremy Hunt’s solution for cash-strapped NHS trusts - cut 375 nurses each?

Jeremy Hunt’s talks of patient safety - but his NHS cash 'solutions' risk repeating the mistakes of Mid-Staffordshire.

By John Lister

/ 22 Feb 2016

London NHS devolution - "It's obvious to all but gullible, power-grabbing councillors - this is about dumping blame for closures"

Osborne's plans for London "devolution" look likely to lead to more hospital closures - and even less say for local people.

By John Lister

/ 18 Dec 2015

Nasty party's racist policies damage the NHS

Nurses forced to leave Britain, new charging systems being set up even for emergency care - Tory policies are damaging the NHS, writes John Lister in an article from the latest Keep Our NHS Public newsletter (download here).

By John Lister

/ 17 Sep 2015

Bart’s: a flagship hits the rocks of PFI

The biggest health trust in England - the PFI-indebted Barts - has been put into 'special measures' after inspectors found it was running dangerously short-staffed and overcrowded hospitals. What does this mean for the future of East London's hopsitals?

By John Lister

/ 18 Mar 2015

Labour NHS plan outrages privatisers

Labour's new plans to reduce private profiteering in the NHS have triggered a vicious counter-attack in the Tory press. Labour must ignore them - and do more to convince campaigners of its intent to protect and restore the NHS.

By John Lister

/ 4 Feb 2015

New NHS plans - forward view, frightening, or fudge?

The new NHS plans published yesterday ask for £8bn - more than any of the big three parties are offering - and offer £22bn of savings. But we've heard such promises before - where will they come from?

By John Lister

/ 24 Oct 2014

The first privatised NHS hospital - success or smoke and mirrors?

The first privatised NHS hospital, Circle Hinchingbrooke, is lauded as 'partnership' future by influential figures - but financial instability, deeply unhappy staff, and poor care are highlighted in a new report - and in a damning letter from the regulator today.

By John Lister

/ 26 Sep 2014