- Conference
- 2009 Health Care Service Group Conference
- Date
- 9 December 2008
- Decision
- Carried
This conference is appalled at a recent suggestion by the Department of Health officials, as reported in the Health Service Journal, that the measure of success for commissioners should be how many NHS services they have managed to “decommission” and award to alternative providers such as the private or voluntary sector.
We see this as a damaging, destabilising and destructive policy position and certainly not one that UNISON members supported when they voted Labour at the last general election.
We recognise, of course, that change is often needed and can be healthy and constructive if handled properly. We do not, however, see this support for large scale decommissioning as something that is either sustainable or conducive to well run and innovative public services.
We therefore call on the Health Group Executive and our national officers to challenge this policy position within the Department of health at every opportunity