Commenting on the publication today (Thursday) of NHS England and NHS Improvement’s formal response to the consultation on legislative change proposals, UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said:
“This is long overdue. These proposals would protect the NHS from the worst excesses of privatisation and end the situation where different parts of the health service have had to compete against each other.
“The government must act now to get rid of the most damaging aspects of the Health and Social Care Act, which have caused chaos for more than seven years.
“Our precious NHS needs to be in the best possible state so it’s protected when the UK leaves the EU – whether it’s with or without a deal. It must be able to fend off the circling vultures who would see it torn up in pursuit of profit.
“It’s time to draw a line under a system that continually wastes time and money on pointless tendering while the health service itself is strapped for cash.
“The future must be about collaboration not competition so patients and staff remain at the heart of the NHS.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in both the public and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes T: 0207 121 5255 M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen T: 0207 121 5463 M: 07778 158175 E: l.chinchen@unison.co.uk
