Join us today!
Printable version
Link to this page: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/912/23336
From The Socialist newspaper, 10 August 2016
Privatised medical record chaos
Outsourcing vultures cream off money while failing to provide vital services, photo Anita Ritenour (Creative Commons) (Click to enlarge)
Nate James
Dozens of GP surgeries in England have had thousands of medical records appear late or not at all thanks to outsourcing giant Capita.
This is just the most recent evidence of the destructive effects of privatisation and austerity. Capita has had the contract to deliver medical records for less than a year. This kind of mistake would not be excusable for a publicly owned, non-profit service - let alone Capita, with pre-tax profits last year of £112 million.
A company profiting so hugely on people's sickness, but failing to deliver the service that is expected, will rightly anger health workers and service users alike. Members of doctors' union BMA are so concerned that their General Practitioners Committee passed a vote of no confidence in outsourcing to Capita.
BMA members have been leading the fight against Tory attacks on our NHS. Junior doctors have struck repeatedly against outright bullying from the likes of Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and the rest of the Conservative government.
The resilience of health workers under attack - and their recent fightback - is an inspiration. But these attacks are wearing them out. Poll after poll shows incredible levels of stress and exhaustion.
These vicious attacks on our health service need to stop now. Health unions must coordinate strike action and push for an early general election. Let's kick out these profiteers, and bring the NHS into public ownership under democratic workers' control.
Donate to the Socialist Party
Finance appeal
The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
In The Socialist 10 August 2016:
#KeepCorbyn
#KeepCorbyn: stand firm for socialism
Liverpool: Corbyn slams "politics of the elite"
Wallasey Labour meet in resistance to the Blairites
Mood for unity but not with right-wing Labour infiltrators
Thousands attend Corbyn rally in Cornwall
Bristol: Jeremy Corbyn wins support from young people
Hull: Jeremy Corbyn rally the biggest for 20 years
Jeremy Corbyn attracts 1,000 in York
Socialist Party news and analysis
Fight to defend HIV drug victory
Privatised medical record chaos
Grunwick strike
Grunwick strike 40 years on - lessons of an epic battle
Socialist Party workplace news
Fawley strike defeats 'race to bottom' exploitation of migrant workers
Low paid cleaners declare victory after 58 days on strike
Samworth Brothers step up bullying and intimidation of workers
Communication Workers Union backs Jeremy Corbyn
HMY Radford shopfitters strike against penny-pinching company
South Wales NUM supports Jeremy Corbyn
2011 Riots
2011 riots: An outpouring of anger at the system
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Axe the Housing Act: 'We can't pay, we'll organise and we'll stay'
Great reception in Hackney for Chicago 'Black Lives Matter' socialist
South London #BlackLivesMatter protest marches on Downing Street
Leeds Pride 2016: Pride must be political!
Socialist Party comments and reviews
Sanctioned - a victim of government callousness
Food waste - the logic of capitalism
Home | The Socialist 10 August 2016 | Join the Socialist Party
Subscribe | Donate | Audio | PDF | ebook
2020