An NHS contract, worth £1bn of public money, to run Primary Care Support Services is a guaranteed privatisation as it invites international companies and excludes NHS bidders says UNISON today.
The terms of the contract, published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), involve NHS administrative services, currently delivered by 1,800 staff employed by NHS England in 43 locations. The services include the management of medical records, payments and administrative support to GPs, dentists, opticians and pharmacists, as well as support services for recall and results letters for breast and cervical cancer screenings.
UNISON has campaigned hard to end this dangerous project and has put forward existing viable alternatives within the NHS such as Commissioning Support Units or the NHS Business Services Authority which already provide similar services. But all these were rejected by NHS England despite acknowledging the ‘synergies’ between the services.
A host of private firms have already expressed interest in securing the 10-year contract worth £1bn. These include India- based IT company HCL, American aerospace/defence company Lockheed Martin, private equities management consultants and outsourcing firms such as Capita, G4S, Serco, KPMG and Accenture.
Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said: “It is an absolute disgrace that NHS England is ready to hand over millions of patients records and critical responsibilities to huge worldwide firms.
“The terms of the contract are set up to exclude NHS bidders from taking part, making this a guaranteed privatisation. It is reckless of the Government to allow patients data to be handed over to international profit making companies.
“This dangerous plan is likely to cause untold damage to the NHS and is also proof of this Government’s determination to break and sell the NHS.”
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