Irresponsible 'off the wall' decisions about NHS funds

Funding private contracts with £45 million that could have been used by the NHS is 'irresponsible', UNISON Scotland vice-convener Lillian Macer told Congress.

Trade unions and professional organisations are worried about the 'much needed' money going to private contracts to support Independent Sector Treatment Centres.

"These contracts will be run and managed by private providers of health care, the staff used to deliver the care will be drawn from the NHS, a much needed resource we cannot afford to lose", said Lillian.

"It is totally irresponsible for the Health Department to be making these off the wall decisions about NHS funding without any real evidence of service improvements", she added.

Already the English Health Department has started an agenda that has seen services privatised while front-line NHS staff are being made redundant.

"Survey after survey shows that the public support an NHS based on need and free at the point of delivery with a well-trained and motivated NHS employed staff", said Lillian.

Lillian thanked the Society of Radiographers for bringing the motion to Congress. It slammed the moves and sought assurances from government that this would be 'a short term response to tackle waiting times'. It called for planning in partnership with the Scottish and Area Partnership Forums of NHS boards.

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