Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/686/12817
From The Socialist newspaper, 21 September 2011
Gloucestershire: Rage ignites against NHS privatisation
Chris Moore, Gloucestershire Socialist Party
Fury is exploding in Gloucestershire as anti-cuts groups are campaigning to stop the transfer of 4,000 NHS staff out of the NHS and into a Community Interest Company (CIC) or Social Enterprise Trust (SET) on 1 October.
District nurses, podiatrists, health visitors, physiotherapists and nine local hospitals are due to transfer to a registered company, run as a business.
After a few years, or less if commissioners judge it to be failing, a CIC has to compete with other providers including private health companies, for all services.
The south west is being used by health bosses as a massive experiment as seven Primary Care Trusts are preparing to transfer to CICs.
An angry public meeting in Stroud saw NHS managers and the local Tory MP receive a roasting from the 250-strong audience.
In the Forest of Dean 100 people raged at health bosses, not surprisingly, because a social enterprise in that area costing £200,000 recently went bust.
The public have never been consulted and staff have not been balloted about the transfer. There have only been a few meetings where 'queries' can be raised but the process was presented as a done deal. Many workers felt intimidated, knowing their jobs could be on the line.
At a public meeting the Unison representative explained social enterprises elsewhere had led to private companies running services, but that nothing could be done to stop the process.
Yet in areas like Essex, Sandwell, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and South Bedfordshire health trade unions have fought successful campaigns against transfers to CIC/SETs.
In Gloucestershire many staff feel the unions have been ineffective in explaining or challenging the transfer.
As an NHS worker said: "No one supports this, but we don't feel we've had a voice." A demonstration has been called by Stroud Against Cuts.
Save our NHS protest: Saturday 24 September assemble 10.30am, Park Road, near the Maternity Hospital, Stroud, Gloucestershire
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In The Socialist 21 September 2011:
Building for 30 November strike
We won't pay for the bankers' crisis!
30 November - the fight of all our lives
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Gloucestershire: Rage ignites against NHS privatisation
12th hour reprieve for Dale Farm
Socialist Party news and analysis
Wales mine deaths: Privatisation comes under the spotlight
Private rail companies - a licence to print money
Socialist history
Poplar 1921: 'Better to break the law than break the poor'
Socialist Party feature
2011 Labour Party conference - a debate: Can Labour be reclaimed?
International socialist news and analysis
Kazakhstan: Dictatorial regime threatens socialist activists
Floods devastate Sindh: Crisis worsens, hundreds killed
Socialist Party youth and students
Don't let the Con-Dems steal our future!
Save Devon youth service: "time for young people to stand up"
Jobs, homes and services, not racism
University - pay more, receive less
Youth protest movement grows in Israel
Socialist Party workplace news
Southampton council workers vote for more action
Remploy workers "will not go gently" - or at all!
Expelled from Unison for effective anti-cuts leadership
Bus workers force management climb-down
Protesting construction workers call for national strike ballot
Recognition won back - at a price
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