Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/519/3736
From The Socialist newspaper, 6 February 2008
Protests as multinational grabs health centre
AROUND 120 patients, health care workers and members of the public protested at St Paul's Way Medical Centre, the day before the Primary Care Trust (PCT) handed it over to multinational private company Atos Origin.
Liz Cowell
Virtually every GP practice in Tower Hamlets borough in east London was represented. Two of these practices had unsuccessfully put in a bid for St Paul's Way.
One of these practices described the sell-off as a "tragedy" and felt the bidding process didn't seem a "level playing field".
But, of course, if you are competing with large multinational companies with access to business facilities to produce impressive-looking bids, it won't be.
The PCT says patients of the practice had complained about problems in the past getting to see a doctor but "from March they will be able to book appointments from eight o'clock in the morning until eight at night Monday to Friday, and 9am to 5pm on Saturday.
"There will also be a walk-in service that will allow patients to come in at any time during opening hours and see a member of the practice team".
But, whoever ran the surgery, this would have happened as it was part of the contract! In reality what has happened at St Paul's Way is just part of the government's plan to bring marketisation and privatisation into the NHS. There is now concern in Tower Hamlets for the remaining surgeries currently run by the PCT.
Maybe health secretary Alan Johnson will get his wish and Tesco, Asda and Virgin will be given a slice of our health care services - so profit can be made in one of the country's most deprived boroughs - putting private wealth over public health.
Socialist Party member Pete Dickenson, a patient at the surgery, addressed the crowd, pointing out all the three main political parties are pro-privatisation.
People applauded when Pete said that health campaigners need to stand in election as they have done in other areas of the country - with Socialist Party member Jackie Grunsell having been elected a councillor for the Save Huddersfield NHS Campaign in Kirklees.
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In The Socialist 6 February 2008:
MPs' insult to low-paid workers
Protests as multinational grabs health centre
Rich avoid paying £25 billion tax bill
War and terrorism
Bush and Brown's Afghan strategy lies in tatters
Socialist Party women
Fight attacks on abortion rights
Socialist Party news and analysis
Victory! Bristol campaign saves library
Victory! Hull youth workers save jobs
Inspiring victory for Polish workers
Shell output is down, but profits hit new record
Young workers and Students
Protest against university fees
Refreshing student work in Bangor
International Socialist Resistance website
Environment and socialism
Incinerators: Our health at risk!
Stop the Anglesey nuclear time-bomb
Socialist Party debate
How can an alternative to the main political parties be developed?
International socialist news and analysis
Kenya: Workers' movement must provide an alternative
France: LCR votes to launch a new party
Workplace news
Birmingham: Thousands on strike against pay cuts
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