Photography exhibition highlights campaign to 'save the NHS'

A public art project protesting NHS privatisation launched on Saturday (May 13) in the North Laine.
NHS storiesNHS stories
NHS stories

NHS Stories is a free exhibition in Gloucester Road featuring 50 black and white photographic portraits of people who want to save the health service from privatisation, accompanied by audio clips which share their personal experiences.

Speaking at the launch event, the Green candidate for Brighton Pavilion Caroline Lucas said: “We’re here today to say no privatisation of our NHS. It’s at risk like never before. It’s at risk partly because it is being drained of the funding that it needs and it’s at risk partly because it is being chopped up, parcelled out and sold off to the highest bidder in the private sector.”

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She said the positive experiences shared through these photos were giving a voice back to the people.

Louise: Im just as passionate, as a nurse, as I was 30 years ago when I qualified.  But Im angry.  I want people to start protesting, getting galvanised, because private healthcare is not the way forward.  It is so not!Louise: Im just as passionate, as a nurse, as I was 30 years ago when I qualified.  But Im angry.  I want people to start protesting, getting galvanised, because private healthcare is not the way forward.  It is so not!
Louise: Im just as passionate, as a nurse, as I was 30 years ago when I qualified. But Im angry. I want people to start protesting, getting galvanised, because private healthcare is not the way forward. It is so not!

She said: “For me this is a voice that is speaking up for dignity, for love, for cooperation and for what matters in life. And we are saying very clearly the NHS matters in our lives.”

The exhibition was organised as a pre-election event by Brighton-based GP Sarah Andersen, photographer Ray Gibson and Aurasma app creator Karen Poley.

The photos will be on display throughout the Brighton Festival, alongside instructions showing how to listen to each person’s story using the Aurasma smartphone app.

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Sarah Andersen said: “You can see their expressions of disbelief, shock, horror and anger. We should be angry.

Megan: Its unclear how much longer the NHS is gonna be around for, at this rate.  And, I dont think any of us really value the NHS until we really need it.  We need to make sure its still here for when we do need it.Megan: Its unclear how much longer the NHS is gonna be around for, at this rate.  And, I dont think any of us really value the NHS until we really need it.  We need to make sure its still here for when we do need it.
Megan: Its unclear how much longer the NHS is gonna be around for, at this rate. And, I dont think any of us really value the NHS until we really need it. We need to make sure its still here for when we do need it.

“The story that we’re being told is that the Tories will win a landslide victory and having done a lot of background reading I think if they do win, you will be paying for your healthcare before the next election.

“So we’re here to make as much noise and fuss as possible to show that we are prepared to fight for the NHS.”

Sussex Defend the NHS, a non-party political organisation present at the event, will be holding a protest at the next Brighton and Hove Clinical Commissioning Group meeting on Tuesday, May 23.

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