WHO KERRS... DAVID AND ANDY

Professor David Kerr, Partick Thistle fanatic, high flying cancer specialist and research scientist produced a vision for NHS Scotland earlier this year.

His review was well received. It avoided importing such 'bad medicine' from England as increased competition, excessive patient choice, foundation hospitals, privatisation of ambulance services and much else besides.

UNISON's response to the report said as much. The Scottish Executive has spent the summer developing a plan to transfer the 'academic' proposals into an operational plan of action.

Health Minister Andy Kerr delivered the report to the Scottish Parliament on October 27. There was little political controversy in the debate, although local concerns around centralisation of services was a focus for some MSPs.

The task now for UNISON is to use the 'partnership' agreement to shape the delivery of this action plan. There is much to do (ten years' worth!) and big issues for all groups of UNISON members: nurses, allied health professionals, admin& clerical, managers, ambulance and ancillary staff.

John Gallacher (RO ) said: "UNISON is the only union with the level of branch organisation, full-time and lay resources to respond effectively to an agenda of this complexity and breadth. We will all make sure the interests of UNISON members are well served in the ever-changing world of NHS Scotland"

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