The NHS (2)

Following on from my previous post on this subject, it would appear that where provision of health services in the EU is concerned all is not as first appears. Whilst health care was specifically excluded from the scope of the services directive, in June 2006 Ministers of Health of the (then) 25 Member States adopted common values and principles which are to guide EU health systems - and which, as far as I am aware, are still 'extant'.


From the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) website we read that:

"In their declaration, ministers agree that health services must be underpinned by the following values, as defined below:

universality (access to healthcare must be ensure for every person living in the European Union);

access to good quality care;

equity ( equal access to health care regardless of ethnicity, gender, age, social status and ability to pay);

solidarity (linked to the financial schemes under which the health systems are funded)

They also state that reducing health inequalities must be one of the aims of health systems, as well as a shift towards preventive measures.

Besides values, they specifically note that the implementation of those values vary from one State to another and that should remain the rule. Nevertheless, they outline operational principles:

Quality

Safety

Care that is based on evidence and ethics

Patient Involvement

Redress

Privacy and confidentiality

In passing, do note that phrase "as well as a shift towards preventive measures." which is more than likely the reason for legislation such as the 'smoking ban'; latterly, the attempts to reduce alcohol consumption, obesity, 'cheese rolling' (someone might break an arm or a leg); and other such 'dangerous practices'. Note also the 'operational principles' outlined, which provides ample scope for the Lib/Lab/Con to inflict their ideology on changes that they make to our 'national treasure' - aka the NHS.

It is also worth noting Article 6 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and in particular clause (a):

"The Union shall have competence to carry out actions to support, coordinate or supplement the actions of Member States. The areas of action shall, at European level, be:

(a) protection and improvement of human health"

So not only do we find that Cameron' proposals for changes to the NHS conform to the 'common values and principles', being the good 'European' that he so obviously is he has ensured they do.


Reverting to Article 6(a) of the TFEU, it does beg the question how long it will be before a 'harmonisation' of healthcare and the provision of same emanates from Brussels?


Just asking...........

More 'airport' news......

Following my post yesterday on the matter of our airports, today comes a press release on the subject. and it will come as no surprise that the EU already exerts control on how we 'manage' our airports. I should, perhaps, have mentioned this aspect in the previous post, however I like to credit my readers with the fact they are, indeed, 'informed'. The video which the EU has produced to 'wow' the people of Europe, in the hope that they will accept all this 'harmonisation' in the areas of transport, has to be seen to be believed!

Readers will, of course, realise that this latest edict on airports will be carried out in order to further the harmonisation of 'practices' within the EU, thus enhancing the working of the single market. The problem is that, when considering Articles 4 and 6 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), it behoves me to repeat a question previously posed. Would anyone care to name one aspect of your life that is not - or will not be - affected by our membership of the European Union?

Well?

More EU 'Transport' News

From Europa and one of their newsletters we learn that there is to be a Joint EESC-EC Conference on the White Paper on Transport - The Viewpoint of the European Civil Society, to be held on 5th December this year. Do note the use of the word 'civil' and be not fooled it is meant in the context of 'civilian' - it is not, for 'civil' read stakeholders, quangocrats, bureaucrats etc.

It is also possible to read a speech given by Siim Kallas, Vice President and Commissioner for Transport at the recent gathering of the European Council for Automotive Research and Development (EUCAR) held on 8th November 2011 during which he imagines:

".......European cities served by fleets of ultra-clean, smokeless and silent vehicles, buses and other public vehicles, perhaps powered by electricity."

which was included in the next steps being planned by the Commission.

It is perhaps pertinent, at this point, to remind readers of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) Article 4 (2): Shared competence between the Union and Member States applies in the following principal areas: .......(g) transport;..........

And still the Lib/Lab/Con maintain the facade that we are a self-governing nation and that Parliament is sovereign.......................

People, you live under a dictatorship - wake up!

A Challenge..........

UP Pompeii posts and asks: "Just what in the name of sanity is happening in this country....." whilst homing in on the remarks of Ian Duncan Smith on the matter of benefits payable to EU citizens, wherein IDS claims 'foul'.

Bearing in mind Article 4, 5, & 6 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), can anyone name one - just one - aspect of policy in which the EU cannot 'interfere'?*

As ever, just asking...............

*Similar to IPJ's '6 things' question (6 things in your life not regulated, in one form or another, by the state) - and as far as I know he's still waiting an answer......!

The moulding of young minds

This report in the Daily Express should be of concern to any parent who has children at school, be they state or private. That education is an area in which the EU has the competence to carry out actions to support, co-ordinate or supplement the actions of Member States under the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) (Article 6e) means that whenever Brussels wishes to stick it's oar in, it can do.

I believe it correct that when, in schools, one particular political viewpoint is made it is obligatory that the alternative is also made - unless of course our elected dictators have managed to change this. To begin instilling political claptrap into the minds of a 5-year-old is surely taking matters to an unacceptable extreme and were I a parent I would want my child excluded - failing which I would promptly withdraw him/her from that school.

The burning question now arises is what our puppet-government will do should this become a directive or regulation from our masters in Brussels. The question has to be asked, when considering most EU 'initiatives' are discussed months before they become public, whether the decision taken in November last year to dismiss teaching staff who are members of BNP and other 'extremist groups' was a precursor to this latest idea from Brussels.

Regular readers will be only too aware that I believe our present collection of elected dictators are no different to any other dictator, elected or otherwise.

When considering the smugness and superiority captured on the face of this man, if you turn to history books of events across the channel 70 years ago it is possible to see similar expressions captured on the faces of a different race.

Afterthought: For any reader wanting an insight into "European Schools", see this post. 

Just saying.........