Tuesday 8 July 2008

International Co-operative Day / NHS 60th Birthday

Last weekend (5th / 6th July) saw a variety of events to celebrate
International Co-operative Day and the 60th Anniversary of the start of the
NHS (National Health Service)

International Co-operative Day aims to celebrate the wide diversity of
co-op's across the world, and was this year themed on 'Confronting Climate
Change through Co-operative Enterprise'. Something which UK co-operatives
have been at the fore front of with a whole range of issues and activities
across the range of UK co-op's including such schemes as New Mills Torr
Hydro Scheme which is been run on a Co-operative basis.

The celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the start of the NHS
included a number of national events along with local events such as an open
day last Saturday (5th July) at Tameside Hospital which included such
activities as healthy food tasting, radio interviews and department
displays.

The run up to the birthday of the NHS also included the announcement of Lord
Darzi's, review on the NHS and the proposed NHS Constitution, which will set
a high status been given to public accountability for the various NHS
bodies.

The review also includes a number of co-operative principles including the
right to encourage and enable staff to set up social enterprises to deliver
services.

The reason for flagging these two events together is as a useful reminder to
encourage you to sign up (if you have not already done so) to become a
member of any of the foundation trusts that have been set up for local
hospitals including Tameside, Stockport Stepping Hill and Christy's.

For further details on the NHS 60th Anniversary or becoming a foundation
trust member goto www.nhs.uk

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