Responding to the news that just 10% of NHS community services are set to be transferred to social enterprises under the Transforming Community Services programme, UNISON said today that this demonstrates that staff overwhelmingly want to remain in the NHS.
The union reiterated its warning that Government plans for large NHS social enterprise schemes pose real dangers for patients, and for the future of the NHS:
Mike Jackson, UNISON Senior National Officer for health, said:
“The Government had high hopes for the number of staff that would want to be transferred to a social enterprise. However, the overall landscape where the vast majority of services will remain in NHS organisations, including Mental Health and Acute Trusts, is a positive one for staff, who have made it crystal clear they want to remain in the NHS.
“Evidence shows that staff are not convinced either. Despite a massive push from the government towards social enterprises, only 10% of services are set to transfer to them under the Right to Request scheme. The vast majority are management-led initiatives, in which employee engagement is little more than an afterthought.
“UNISON believes that even amongst this limited number, many will not be able to go ahead due to a lack of buy-in from staff. Where there is any doubt, we would like to see staff properly consulted in a free and fair ballot.
“UNISON has long been warning about the dangers of large NHS social enterprise schemes. It