Leaked Emails: Plans to hand NHS hospitals to overseas companies

[XB9S, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN, APN]

Interesting article in the Guardian today

The future of the government's health reforms has been plunged into fresh doubt as the Liberal Democrat peer Shirley Williams raises new concerns, and secret emails reveal plans to hand over the running of up to 20 hospitals to overseas companies. The revelations come as MPs prepare to return to Westminster on Tuesday for what promises to be a crucial stage of the flagship health and social care bill.

Baroness Williams, one of the original leaders of a Lib Dem rebellion against health secretary Andrew Lansley's plans - who appeared to have been pacified after changes were made over the summer - said she had new doubts, having re-examined the proposals. "Despite the great efforts made by Nick Clegg and Paul Burstow [the Lib Dem health minister], I still have huge concerns about the bill. The battle is far from over," she said.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/sep/03/shirley-williams-nhs-reforms-turmoil

[ayla2004, ASN, RN]

Why am I not surprisedtories think patient choice and care needs privatison.

[skylark, BSN, RN]

NHS employment has been gradually shifting for a long time. Support staff such as hotel services and portering have been in private hands for a long time. Every couple of years a new company wins the contract, keeps the same staff, give them new uniforms, and messes with their pension just like the company before them.

A growing number of clinical services have also been farmed out. A lot of A&E and walk-in centers are now run by a company calle Care UK, who have roles that were previously the domain of NHS nurses.

Foreign ownership was always going to happen, its a last ditch attempt to hold it altogether. I know I've said it here before, but from where I was, in a London ER, changes within the NHS are nothing more than re-arranging the deckchairs on the Titanic !