News that the Weston General Hospital has today (Wednesday 4 June) pulled back from the brink of privatisation has been greeted as a victory for common sense by UNISON, the UK’s largest union.
The decision by Weston Area Health Trust in Weston-super-Mare to opt for an ‘NHS only’ future is another significant success for UNISON’s anti-privatisation campaign in the NHS.
Dave Prentis, UNISON General Secretary, said:
“It is great news that health chiefs have come to their senses and scrapped plans to privatise the Weston general Hospital and instead seek a partner within the NHS.
“The last two years have created a lot of uncertainties and anxieties but this decision means that staff can continue focusing on delivering high qualiaty patient care rather than worrying about whether they are going to be ‘outsourced’.
“UNISON’s vocal campaign on the ground argued throughout the process for an NHS solution rather than handing over patient services to unaccountable private operators.
“We managed to overturn the situation at George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton and health workers and patients should feel confident that UNISON will keep on fighting and protecting the NHS being sold off to cutthroat private bidders.
“Today’s decision is a victory for UNISON, for patients, staff and society.”
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