UNISONActive is an unofficial blog produced by UNISON activists for UNISON activists. Bringing news, briefings and events from a progressive left perspective.

Tuesday 24 August 2010

UNISON launches legal challenge to stop Con Dem NHS privatisation juggernaut in its tracks‏

So much for Cameron’s ‘Big Society’ giving power to the people. The consultation on the NHS White Paper, ‘Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS’ has been exposed as nothing more than lip service of the worst kind. The proposals in this White Paper are the most fundamental changes to the NHS...

· The plan to hand over £80 billion pounds of taxpayers money to GP’s to purchase care

· The abolishment of Strategic Health Authorities and Primary Care Trusts who have an overview of population needs

· The ending of the commitment to speedy access for treatment

· The opening up of the NHS opened to privatisation

· The increase in the amount of private patient work in NHS hospitals

All of these proposals threaten the very foundation of the NHS, and its principles of healthcare available to all regardless of the ability to pay.
 All of these proposals threaten the very foundation of the NHS, and its principles of healthcare available to all regardless of the ability to pay

The Coalition Government is well aware of the high level of public support for the NHS, and this is why they are constantly giving the mantra that the NHS budget is ring-fenced – this is just not true. The NHS is facing its biggest attack ever and it is absolutely right that UNISON, the largest health union, and public sector union leads the challenge to save the NHS. Launching legal action to hold this Government to account is the start of a campaign to save the NHS.
http://www.unison.org.uk/asppresspack/pressrelease_view.asp?id=1958

This must be supported by health workers, and public sector workers across the Country. The true message of what is happening must be exposed to the public so they can hold this Government to account for its broken promises, and to stop the decimation of the NHS.

Clare Williams