This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
UNISON: Health and Social Care Act has caused 'untold damage'
The health secretary must ensure government policy is in line with the NHS long-term plan and keep contracts worth millions in public hands, says UNISON.
A total of 26 health service contracts worth more than £128 million are currently out to tender, according to research commissioned by the Labour Party.
Urging the government to stop private companies from securing NHS contracts, Shadow health and social care secretary Jonathan Ashworth hit out at Health Secretary Matt Hancock, stating:
"This Health Secretary's privatisation credentials become clearer by the day, whether it's promoting GP at Hand to endorsing private dentistry to now allowing millions of pounds worth of health services contracts to be privatised,"
Commenting on Labour’s call, UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said:
“The recently published long-term plan makes the case for moving away from competition and markets in the NHS.
“There’s now an overwhelming consensus that the much-hated Health & Social Care Act has caused untold damage to the health service.
“The government must show it is serious about bringing about a more collaborative NHS by moving decisively away from the failed privatisation policies of the past.
“The NHS can ill afford to squander its already stretched resources by paying private operators to carry out work that’s better delivered in-house.”
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