‘Giving birth’ goes under the privatisation hammer, warns
Unite
7 December 2011
The privatisation of maternity care in the Wirral is the ‘thin
end of the wedge’ that could threaten the quality of care and the
employment conditions of midwifery jobs, Unite, the largest union
in the country, said today (Wednesday 7 December).
NHS Wirral has become the first trust in the country to sign a
contract with a private company, One to One, to provide maternity
services to women.
Unite’s general secretary Len McCluskey said: ”Before the Health
and Social Care bill is even law, the Tories are pressing full
steam ahead with the privatisation of NHS - this is an affront to
the democratic process.
”Unite is very concerned that as private companies take over
more and more services in the NHS, the profit motive will take
priority over patient care – and that the pay and employment
conditions of NHS staff, such as midwives and maternity staff, will
be seriously eroded over time.
”The fact that this is the first time the NHS has signed a
contract of this nature, with the backing of the Department of
Health, is nothing to be proud of – it is the thin edge of the
wedge.
”In five years time, who is to say there won’t be a scale of
charges for some maternity services at this very pivotal, and often
traumatic, moment in a women’s life – giving birth.
”It is another chipping away at the ethos of a universal NHS
free at the point of delivery for all those in need – and MPs and
peers currently scrutinising the health bill need to see the Wirral
development as a foretaste of what is to come and throw out this
pernicious legislation.
”David Cameron’s promise that there would be no privatisation of
the NHS is now entirely worthless. Liberal Democrats, whether
they are peers, MPs, councillors or activists, should take note -
and find the courage to defend the NHS from the privateers deeply
entrenched within the coalition.
”Already this company is in talks with other NHS trusts in
England and Wales about providing some of their maternity services
- the privatisation of the NHS is quickly accelerating.”
ENDS
Notes to news editors:
For further information please contact Unite communications
officer, Shaun Noble, on 07768 693940
