Labour accuses Government over possible sell-off district general hospital.
Board papers published by the NHS Development Authority (NDTA) show that the George Eliot Hospital in Warwickshire could be acquired by another NHS trust or “a franchise that may be a non-NHS organisation”.
If the hospital were acquired by a private company it would become the second in two years, after the Hinchingbrooke Health Care Trust was taken over by Circle Health in February last year. The Health Service Journal reported that the Department of Health had been willing to see the trust begin a process that could lead to franchising, but was awaiting approval from the Treasury, which has now been granted. Andy Burnham, Labour's shadow health secretary said that the decision represented “privatisation driven from the top”.
“Everywhere you look, chunks of the NHS are being broken up and handed to the private sector. With this announcement, it is now proceeding at a pace and scale never seen before,” he said.
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1 comment:
At last we see the opposition actually opposing!
Its been very difficult for them of course, because they began the process of privatisation way back under Blair but even so better late than never. Who knows it may even spark an actual discussion about the future of the NHS.
This discussion is being avoided by all parties because no one wants to be known as the party responsible for dismantling "Our NHS".Instead they all stand around allowing chunks to disappear. Eventually there will be so little left that it really won't be much of a problem to anyone.
Obviously there is some consensus behind the scenes.I imagine it is generally recognised that the country can't afford the NHS in its present form so they continue to tinker around the edges. Naturally they all want to avoid a debate because then spending priorities would come into it and the next election is in view.
I am always amused to read of the West wanting to bring democracy to the Middle East. How about starting at home?
Whenever there is an issue which is of prime importance to the people of this country the parties seem to unite in some unholy and unofficial temporary alliance, "Them" and "Us". So go for it Andy, you may even restore some healthy, old-fashioned debate.
Kath
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