Dave Prentis, leader of the UK’s biggest union, has made an
impassioned11th hour plea in a letter to Labour MPs, to vote
against introducing Foundation Hospitals when the Bill goes back
to the Commons next week (19 November).
The section of the Health and Social Care Bill which sets up
foundation hospitals has been controversial from the start with
staff, unions, MPs, Lords and the public highly critical of the plans.
The Government’s majority was squeezed to 35 at the Bill’s second
reading and the Lords voted to throw out the section introducing
Foundation Hospitals in early November.
When the Bill goes back to the Commons on Wednesday (19
November) the Government is staring defeat in the face. It will take
only a small number of MPs to switch vote to abide by Labour
Party policy. This policy was agreed overwhelmingly by the
unions and CLPs at this year’s Labour Party Conference.
In a hard hitting letter addressed to all Labour MPs, Dave Prentis
said:
“Foundation Trusts have the potential to be deeply damaging for
the NHS and the Party. I believe that, if introduced, Foundation
Trusts will lead to increased inequality and competition in the
health service, undermining our ability to deliver our commitments
on the NHS and generating dissatisfaction amongst patients and
the public.”
The letter goes on to cite opinion polls which show that 61% of the
public questioned were against the introduction of Foundation
Trusts. UNISON has also received reports of poorly attended
public consultation meetings held by applicant Trusts, which
nevertheless show that the majority are opposed to foundation
status. Consultants and staff have also come out against the
proposals.
The NHS has always been the jewel in the crown of the Labour
Party and Mr Prentis’ letter highlights the potential electoral
damage inflicted on the Party by Foundation Hospitals.
He says:
“The NHS is one of Labour’s key electoral assets, and is one of the
most crucial issues on which the next election will be fought. With
the additional money now being invested by the Government we
have an historic opportunity to transform the NHS, reversing the
effects of years of Tory underfunding and providing improving
services for all.
“By pursuing Foundation Trusts, we run the risk of forfeiting this
progress and jeopardising our reputation as custodians of the
NHS, opening the door to the emergence of unacceptable levels of
inequality and diverting staff from implementing the many positive
reforms which the Government has already introduced.”
The letter underlines UNISON’s commitment to work for reform in
the NHS
and the delivery of more responsive and accountable services.
UNISON believes that Foundation Hospitals are the wrong policy
for the NHS. As well as the letter, the union has enclosed a paper
setting out alternative proposals for reform.
ends