NHS65 is a nationwide arts activism initiative dedicated to providing a platform for the general public to have an impact on the future of the NHS. The showcase will take place across 65 locations in 6 days, via an LED van playing a powerful satirical video on the threat to the future of the NHS. The project will culminate in a Citizens’ Jury on Saturday 12 April 2025 at London South Bank University (LSBU) in London, England, a leading university for Nursing and Midwifery in the UK. Expert speakers will include Aneira Thomas- the first ever baby born under the NHS, Professor Gwyn Bevan from the London School of Economics and Dr. Bob Gill, producer of the documentary The Great NHS Heist.
On the road, 3 key questions will be posed to the general public based on key findings from the recently commissioned Lord Darzi Report, which outlines a proposed 10-year plan for healthcare in the UK:
1) Ensuring adequate funding for the NHS
Should the NHS spending be legally protected with a minimum percentage of GDP?
2) The Long-Term Sustainability of the NHS
Should NHS funding priorities be decided by an independent health body rather than by politicians to ensure long-term stability and prevent short term political influence?
3) Privatisation vs Public ownership
Should the NHS renew or cancel all current privatisation contracts when they next come up for renewal?
From these three, the public will determine the most important issue and question for deliberation at the citizens jury.
Staff working with their hands tied behind their backs
How Does the Citizen’s Jury Work?
A diverse, representative panel of jurors will hear from expert speakers on the current state of the NHS. The expert speakers will include Aneira Thomas- the first ever baby born under the NHS, Professor Gwyn Bevan- Emeritus Professor of Policy Analysis at London School of Economics, Dr. Bob Gill- current practicing GP and producer of the documentary The Great NHS Heist. Observers and members of the public are encouraged to attend, ask questions and take part in discussions.
The results of citizens jury deliberation will be fed into the NHS’ very own Change campaign. A campaign to canvas public opinion over the next 10 years for implementing change as part of the 10 year health plan, resulting from the current government’s Lord Darzi report commission.
Hive Mind Speaks will ensure the findings are presented to current Health Minister, Wes Streeting, and the results will be made available on the Hive Mind Speaks platform, as well as being archived at the British Library. Additionally, the results will be presented on the LED van across significant locations in London on Monday 14 April.
65 Locations in 6 Days
The tour will begin on Sunday 6 April starting in London and travelling across the UK visiting the South West, Wales, Midlands, North West, Scotland, the North East and East of England regions. Hive Mind Speaks will visit and screen at sites noted for their political significance, such as outside the headquarters of the main political parties and outside the parliament buildings in England, Wales and Scotland. In addition there will be screenings at cultural landmarks, like The Angel of the North, Stonehenge and the London Eye to remind everyone that the NHS is a cultural landmark in and of itself. Throughout the showcase the team will be garnering a breadth of opinions from the general public focusing on funding, the long-term sustainability of the NHS and privatisation vs public ownership. Finally and most importantly, locations medically significant to the artist, Red Jay and what led him to start this project will be visited.
NHS65 Artist & Hive Mind Speaks Founder, Red Jay
Hive Mind Speaks Founder and artist, Red Jay, aka Joshua Oliver, was born on April 12 1982, at the Whittington Hospital, North London, with an extremely rare, genetic musculoskeletal condition called Larsen’s Syndrome, an uncommon condition that at the time of his birth, only around 500 cases had been documented in the UK.
Joshua and his family were met with the steadfast hands and the compassionate hearts of the NHS and in those early days, the doctors, nurses and specialists became more than just medical professionals, they became guardians, problem-solvers and beacons of hope. Since then, Joshua has undergone numerous operations including major facial reconstruction and also began the IVF journey in hopes to one day have a family of his own without passing on said rare Larsen’s Syndrome gene.
The core aim of NHS65 is to enact genuine legislation change on the future direction of the NHS, by harnessing the voice of the UK public, through creative exploration and meaningful activism. Established in 1948, the National Health Service’s core principles were that healthcare should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery and through the power of the people, NHS65 wants to remind the government of this.
Hive Mind Speaks Founder and artist, Red Jay, says:
“NHS65 is about capturing the voice of the people who use the NHS, not the politicians and listening to what they believe should be done. People should get involved to talk about what is most critical to them based on their experience using the NHS, knowing it will get considered for deliberation in our citizens’ jury. I hope that the results of our findings will be considered by Wes Streeting and the department of health, when they make their plans for future sustainability.”
Clapping for the NHS
NHS65 Tour Schedule
Day 1 | Sunday 6 April – London
Whittington Hospital, Great Ormond Street Hospital, UCL College Hospital
Day 2 | Monday 7 April – London / Salisbury | WORLD HEALTH DAY
Guys & St Thomas hospital, Lib Dem Headquarters, Labour Headquarters, Conservative Headquarters, RSA, Royal Holloway University, Stonehenge, Glastonbury Tor
Day 3 | Tuesday 8 April – South West / South Wales
Clifton Suspension Bridge, Banks Murals, Senedd Welsh Assembly, Welsh Board of Health, Cardiff Castle, Cardiff Arms Park, Bevan’s Stones, Bevan’s, Tredegar Wales
Day 4 | Wednesday 9 April – Herefordshire / North West (Manchester / Liverpool)
Hereford County Hospital, Hereford 6th Form College, Orleton, Ludlow, Shropshire, Liverpool Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool Cavern Club, Trafford General Hospital, Old Trafford, Royal Oldham Hospital
Day 5 | Thursday 10 April – Yorkshire / Scotland (Glasgow)
The Singing Ringing Tree, Blackpool Tower, Sheffield, Leeds NHS Headquarters, Lake District, Scottish Borders, Glasgow Shipyard, Celtic Park, Ibrox, The Kelpies, Falkirk Wheel, Holyrood, NHS Scotland
Day 6 | Friday 11 April – Scotland (Edinburgh) / East England (Newcastle / Sunderland / Hull / Cambridge)
Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, University of Edinburgh, Murrayfield, Alnwick Castle, Hartlepool Hospital, St James Park, Newcastle Tyne Theatre & Opera House, University of Sunderland, Angel of the North, Durham Cathedral, Durham College, Durham University, Yorkshire Dales
Day 7 | Saturday 12 April – East England / London
Hull The Deep, Grimsby Dock tower, Cambridge University, Oxford University, 10 Downing Street, Houses of Parliament, LSBU, Houses of Parliament & Wes Streeting’s Office
NHS65 will take place between 6-14 April 2025, visiting 65 locations in 6 days, via an LED van playing a powerful satirical video on the threat to the future of the NHS. The project will culminate in a Citizens’ Jury on Saturday 12 April 2025 at London South Bank University (LSBU) in London, England.
The results will be presented to current Health Minister, Wes Streeting, submitted to the Change NHS 10 year health plan for England and be made available on the Hive Mind platform, as well as being archived at the British Library.
To spread the word, interview the team and more, contact Alex Karol: [email protected]
For press assets inc. images of Hive Mind Speaks: NHS65 see here
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