Post by Mrs H on Jun 4, 2008 10:47:17 GMT -1
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7434728.stm
I have no doubts that this is the first step to privitisation of hospitals and the NHS. I don't see a political party that is going to stop this from happening because let's face it they're all a little right of centre now.
I agree that the NHS needs to start running itself financially as a business but if that takes away our right to free treatment then the welfare of the country is in serious doubt.
Do we get to the stage that America is at where it's $500 for an x-ray? The poor will die sooner and as a rich country it is beyond my comprehension that we don't look after our own before fighting battles for other countries.
Private firms could be drafted in to run struggling NHS hospitals and primary care trusts in England, ministers have announced.
Executives from companies like Bupa or from better-performing NHS trusts could be used to replace existing bosses.
Ministers say it is one of a range of options aimed at improving performance, but insist no NHS assets or staff would be transferred to private companies.
The British Medical Association said it had "grave concerns" about the plans.
In October the government is to publish new criteria for quality, safety and financial performance, which all NHS trusts in England will be expected to meet.
About 20 trusts are expected to be identified as falling short and to be given a deadline to turn things around. Bringing private management in will simply accelerate the process of privatisation of services which will have catastrophic effects for the patients and the public at large
The Department of Health said although private firms would be allowed to provide management services at NHS trusts, front-line staff would remain NHS employees.
Officials said it was not expected that "huge numbers" of NHS trusts would be affected.
It is thought about 20 trusts labelled weak by a Healthcare Commission report last autumn could be identified as candidates.
Health Minister Ben Bradshaw said the likelihood was that in the majority of cases management would be taken over by other NHS units.
"But there may be examples where no NHS hospital is interested in taking over a failing hospital, or where local NHS managers think that in order to have more competition and choice for people locally that bringing in a private manager on a franchise arrangement will be the most sensible idea.
The BMA warned the scheme amounted effectively to privatising parts of the NHS and could lead to "fragmentation" within the health service.
Dr Jonathan Fielden, addressing the BMA Consultants Conference on Wednesday, accused ministers of knowing little of the complexities of the NHS.
He said: "You can't just fly in management. There is no evidence that private management is any better in the NHS.
"How many of us have seen our Trusts bring in the management consultants, paying through the nose, only to get a half baked solution and one that the real talent in the NHS could have delivered for less?"
Professor Allyson Pollock, head of the Centre for International Public Health Policy at the University of Edinburgh, said: "Bringing private management in will simply accelerate the process of privatisation of services which will have catastrophic effects for the patients and the public at large.
"It will mean less care for everyone, and more money for profits and shareholders."
Executives from companies like Bupa or from better-performing NHS trusts could be used to replace existing bosses.
Ministers say it is one of a range of options aimed at improving performance, but insist no NHS assets or staff would be transferred to private companies.
The British Medical Association said it had "grave concerns" about the plans.
In October the government is to publish new criteria for quality, safety and financial performance, which all NHS trusts in England will be expected to meet.
About 20 trusts are expected to be identified as falling short and to be given a deadline to turn things around. Bringing private management in will simply accelerate the process of privatisation of services which will have catastrophic effects for the patients and the public at large
The Department of Health said although private firms would be allowed to provide management services at NHS trusts, front-line staff would remain NHS employees.
Officials said it was not expected that "huge numbers" of NHS trusts would be affected.
It is thought about 20 trusts labelled weak by a Healthcare Commission report last autumn could be identified as candidates.
Health Minister Ben Bradshaw said the likelihood was that in the majority of cases management would be taken over by other NHS units.
"But there may be examples where no NHS hospital is interested in taking over a failing hospital, or where local NHS managers think that in order to have more competition and choice for people locally that bringing in a private manager on a franchise arrangement will be the most sensible idea.
The BMA warned the scheme amounted effectively to privatising parts of the NHS and could lead to "fragmentation" within the health service.
Dr Jonathan Fielden, addressing the BMA Consultants Conference on Wednesday, accused ministers of knowing little of the complexities of the NHS.
He said: "You can't just fly in management. There is no evidence that private management is any better in the NHS.
"How many of us have seen our Trusts bring in the management consultants, paying through the nose, only to get a half baked solution and one that the real talent in the NHS could have delivered for less?"
Professor Allyson Pollock, head of the Centre for International Public Health Policy at the University of Edinburgh, said: "Bringing private management in will simply accelerate the process of privatisation of services which will have catastrophic effects for the patients and the public at large.
"It will mean less care for everyone, and more money for profits and shareholders."
I have no doubts that this is the first step to privitisation of hospitals and the NHS. I don't see a political party that is going to stop this from happening because let's face it they're all a little right of centre now.
I agree that the NHS needs to start running itself financially as a business but if that takes away our right to free treatment then the welfare of the country is in serious doubt.
Do we get to the stage that America is at where it's $500 for an x-ray? The poor will die sooner and as a rich country it is beyond my comprehension that we don't look after our own before fighting battles for other countries.
Forever without exception. x
