UNISON, the UK’s biggest union representing over 450,000 health workers, today voted to pile pressure on the Government, over its controversial plans to bring in foundation trusts. The Government is already feeling the heat from 133 mainly Labour MPs, who have signed an early day motion criticising foundation hospitals, as a step towards creating a two-tier health service.
At UNISON’s annual health group conference in Harrogate today (Monday 7 April), delegates voted overwhelmingly to step up their opposition to foundation hospitals on the grounds that they will create a two-tier health service, re-introduce damaging competition and create inequalities in health care.
UNISON’s Head of Health Karen Jennings told the 800 delegates that :
“Foundation Hospitals were like a Trojan horse bringing private companies into the heart of the NHS. They will create an internal market and will lead to destabilisation of the NHS.
She went on to say:
“UNISON is going to fight wider privatisation. Alan Milburn has got it wrong and we are going to mobilise to prevent foundation hospitals coming into being.”
Earlier delegates heard from former Health Secretary Frank Dobson MP, that the Government’s proposals on foundation hospitals are in a mess. He said:
“Foundation hospitals will poach staff from other hospitals. Foundation hospitals will be like a cuckoo in the local NHS, developing their own priorities at the expense of everyone else. Foundation hospitals will be able to borrow from the private sector and if they get into a mess will have to be bailed out at the expense of everyone else.”
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