>
> The RCM is taking part in a mass lobby of Parliament with several other
> health unions as part of the NHS Together coalition (
> <http://www.nhstogether.org.uk/>
> www.nhstogether.org.uk).
>
> NHS professionals - midwives and others - will meet with their MPs and
> speak
> with them about the current situation in the NHS and the effects that the
> deficits are having on the health service. Many will have written to or
> spoken with their MPs already but doing this en masse will underline to
> all
> MPs the scale of the problems that many NHS staff face.
>
> We really want as many midwives there as we can get. We want to make sure
> that in all the hubbub of the day that the voice of midwives is heard as
> well as the voices of nurses, doctors and other NHS professionals.
>
> It is best to contactyour local Member of Parliament in advance to make
> an appointment. You cancontact them using the
> <http://www.writetothem.com/>
> http://www.writetothem.com website; or you can call their office by asking
> for them by name via the Houses of Parliament switchboard, 020 7219 3000.
> If
> you don't know who your local MP is then you can use the
> <http://www.writetothem.com/> www.writetothem.com website or call the
> House
> of Commons Information Office on 020 7219 4272.
>
>
>
> I am suggesting making arrangements in advance because security in
> Parliament is very tight and when mass lobbies take place the authorities
> are reluctant to let more than 100 in at a time. With hundreds and
> hundreds
> expected on 1 November that will mean inevitably that some attendees will
> not end up meeting their MP. If you have an appointment therefore and the
> MP
> is expecting you then you are much more likely to meet with her or him. It
> is advisable also, if you have made arrangements, to give your MP your
> mobile number, if you have one. Essentially you need to give your MP no
> reason not to meet with you and not to find you on the day!
>
>
>
> To help make it easier to meet up, we have come up with several options:
> MPs
> can come to Methodist Central Hall (see
> <http://www.methodist-central-hall.org.uk/>
> http://www.methodist-central-hall.org.uk/ for information, a map and
> directions), where the RCM will have a stand and which will be the base of
> the operations for the lobby; the MP might try to meet you in one of
> Parliament's outbuildings, such as Portcullis House (if you do arrange
> this
> then you can find maps of Parliament online at
> <http://www.parliament.uk/visiting/maps.cfm>
> http://www.parliament.uk/visiting/maps.cfm), where queues to pass through
> security can be expected to be much shorter; and we are in the process of
> booking rooms inside Parliament where you and your MP can grab some space.
>
>
>
> If you do manage to arrange a meeting and are meeting your MP in the main
> building then you will need to enter through St Stephens Entrance (see
> maps
> at <http://www.parliament.uk/visiting/maps.cfm>
> http://www.parliament.uk/visiting/maps.cfm). Before you queue up for a
> security check, tell one of the police officers present that you have a
> meeting arranged with your MP (if you have a letter or email from their
> office confirming this then it would be good to have that to hand). Doing
> this should speed your entry. Once through security pass into Central
> Lobby
> (it is essentially straight ahead, but ask for directions if necessary)
> and
> report to the staff at the desk off to the left. You will need to leave
> ample time to pass through security.
>
>
>
> It does not matter if you do not manage to arrange something in advance
> because every person has the right to go to Parliament and ask to speak to
> their MP, but you will have to queue for longer and try your luck.
>
>
>
> The lobby will give midwives and other frontline NHS staff the opportunity
> to press their concerns to MPs of all political parties. With so many
> unions
> taking part from all across England and from so many professions we will
> hopefully be able to meet with very many MPs and emphasise the fact that
> concern about the pace and nature of the latest bout of NHS reforms
> stretch
> across the entire NHS.
>
>
>
> I do hope very much that you will be able to attend on the lobby of
> Parliament on Wednesday 1 November and speak for all those midwives who
> are
> not able to make it.
>
>
>
> Best wishes and kind regards
>
>
>
> Stuart
>
>
>
> Stuart Bonar
>
> Public Affairs Officer
>
>
>
> Royal College of Midwives
>
> 15 Mansfield Street
>
> London W1G 9NH
>
>
>
> T 020 7312 3565
>
> F 020 7312 3561
> ----------------------