Blogger’s Note: I have written elsewhere about how a close friend of mine used to work for the Audit Commission in 2009 – and how she had to attend a meeting with New Labour Ministers (I believe then under Gordon Brown). New (right-wing) Labour was dedicated to abolishing the NHS and Welfare State – everything the 1948 Soviet-influenced Labour government had brought-in. This was the Tory-dream of Tony Blair – who admired Maraget Thatcher (I know – you couldn’t make this up – but it is all true). We knew from 1997 onwards that New Labour was reactionary – but until my friend attended this governmental meeting – I had no idea to the extent. Needless to say, she returned home looking in a state of shock. She told me that the US – via the EU – had instructed the UK that ALL Socialist entities had to a) be privatised, and b) sold into the profitable control of the US. Bear in-mind that ALL the political parties in the UK (so it did not matter who you voted for) had to follow this US directive as the US maintained a direct control of the Bank of England (as it does all EU banks). This ensures that all European countries (including the UK – even though as “Celts” we are not strictly speaking “part of Europe”) do as they are told when the Americans demand it. Doubt this? Look at how everything now costs five-times as much as the US pets of Neo-Nazi Ukraine and Zionist Israel demand your money to pursue their far-right objectives. (Around 1990-1991, I was wandering around the campus of Loughborough University – North of London – when I encountered US [NATO] soldiers in uniform. They “pushed” me out of the way whilst laughing – and went about their disrespectful way). Today, we are suffering in the West due to neo-imperialistic US policies. The cost of living is terrible. Anyway, the latest incarnation of a reactionary Labour is that the closing-down of the NHS is high on their “to do” list. Starmer shut-down NHS England and nobody said a word. The same Labour government then brought a “halt” to any further employment of qualified NHS staff straight out of university. Burnham is carrying-on these policies as he follows the same paymaster as Starmer (as well as worshipping at the shrine of Yahweh). The NHS is being systematically closed-down so that patients resort to “private” healthcare. Why the cloak and dagger? Well, whilst taking away everything that our tax used to get for us (high levels of tax would get world-class education, healthcare, social housing, and welfare support) – we now get very little – whilst our tax-burden has never been so high. The Labour government does not want to cut our tax-burden because it is an important source for money to give Ukraine and Israel – amongst other right-wing US projects. We pay more than enough tax to have a free at use world-class NHS – but it is being taken away from us – one brick at a time. ACW (7.8.2026)
Zhara Simpson – BBC Devon – 7.8.2026
Births to be temporarily suspended at hospital
Ongoing staffing issues have forced a hospital’s bosses to temporarily suspend birthing services at the site.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust confirmed despite “extensive efforts” to maintain services, suspending births at North Devon District Hospital (NDDH) in Barnstaple from 11 August was the “only safe course of action”.
At the end of July, the trust said planning had started for a potential temporary suspension to the services.
Carolyn Mills, Royal Devon’s chief nursing officer, said the trust was “fully committed” to reopening birthing services at NDDH as soon as possible.
The trust said more than 300 women who are 34 weeks pregnant or more, as well as those identified as vulnerable or clinically high risk, had been contacted to discuss their individual circumstances, care plans and the travel and transport support available.
It said the last planned inductions and caesarean sections would take place on Friday while the last day NDDH would be able to accept those in spontaneous labour would be on Sunday.
Other services including community midwifery, scans, birth planning, ultrasound clinics and antenatal outpatient clinics would remain in North Devon, the trust added.
The trust said it had explored and exhausted every option including securing additional locum cover and mutual aid support from partner organisations.
However, it said after carefully reviewing staffing levels against clinical safety requirements, it concluded a temporary suspension was needed.
Mills said the suspension was an exceptionally difficult decision to make.
“Our absolute priority is, and always will be, the safety of women, birthing people and their babies,” Mills said.
“We have worked tirelessly alongside our partners, including NHS Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board and NHS England regional colleagues, to explore every possible option to avoid this outcome.”
She added a dedicated recovery programme was under way with intensive work focused on recruitment, workforce planning, staff retention and service resilience.
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SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 