Unhealthy White Paper: Labour MPs reject further NHS privatisation

The publication of the Government's White Paper on Health is causing great concern among Labour MPs. Aspects of the White Paper will mean more services to the poorest, but continued privatisation and marketisation remain intrinsic to the policy.

More integration with social services is to be welcomed, but there is concern about how this will be delivered if there is greater fragmentation of delivery, which can only cost the taxpayer more and waste precious resources, as the profit premium is hived off.

More integration with social services is to be welcomed, but there is concern about how this will be delivered if there is greater fragmentation of delivery, which can only cost the taxpayer more and waste precious resources, as the profit premium is hived off.

John McDonnell, Chair of the Campaign Group, said

“There is deep anxiety among Labour MPs about the proposals in the Health White Paper. It seems the Government is attempting to set-up a shadow NHS in the private sector.

“Practice-based commissioning (PBC) is simply GP fundholding by another name - and is made all the more bizarre by the fact that it was this Government that abolished GP fundholding in the first term”

David Taylor MP, said

“We are all agreed on the need to reduce health inequalities and social services in our constituencies but the government's proposals will increase the rate of privatisation in the NHS. They will also undermine the existing work of health and social care professionals in the public sector and lead to another Dutch auction of public sector contracts which will systematically reduce the quality of the services available to our constituents living in the most deprived areas.

“Tough decisions, like ending 'food deserts' and improving mental health services, do need to be taken to improve public health but the government clearly see this as another policy area in which to promote private interests at the long term expense of patients and the NHS”

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