Health audit should not be used to promote NHS privatisation, says
Unite
19th August 2009
The first audit on the health of NHS staff should not be used by
right wing politicians to push their privatisation agenda for the
NHS, Unite, the largest union in the country, said today
(Wednesday, 19 August).
Unite is concerned that the national audit, commissioned by the
government, could be used by politicians, such as Tory MEP Daniel
Hannan, to undermine the health service and promote the interests
of private companies wanting to take a lucrative slice of NHS
work.
The survey claimed that NHS workers had high rates of sickness,
obesity, smoking and poor mental health.
But Unite said that the 1.4 million people, employed by the
health service, were a reflection of society as a whole – and the
ministers had already recognised that such problems as smoking were
national issues, hence the introduction of the smoking ban in
public places in 2007.
Unite national officer for health, David Fleming, said: "We are
concerned that the issues raised in the audit will be manipulated
by right-wing politicians and media commentators to further knock
the NHS in a bid to pave the way for private companies to take over
more health services.
"The NHS, as one of the largest employers in the world, reflects
the health trends in society generally – added to which NHS
professionals have very stressful jobs, often dealing with
life-and-death situations.
"The public have consistently said how much they value the NHS
and I think they are sickened by the current spate of Obama-baiting
over his proposals for healthcare reform in America.
"If private companies, many from North America, with their
profit-driven targets, take over even more of the NHS, who is to
say that this ‘shareholder-first’ culture won’t cause even more
stress for employees and absence from work?"
David Fleming welcomed the audit’s recommendation that NHS
trusts appoint health and well-being leaders to promote health
amongst NHS staff.
ENDS
NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS:
For further information, please ring: Karen Reay, national
officer, health, 07798 531 004, David Fleming, national
officer, health 07798 531013 or Shaun
Noble, communications officer 020 7420 8951 or 07768 693
940
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