Dear all,
Amicus and UNISON are organising a lobby of parliament on Tues 10th January
about plans to out source primary care in England.
If you remember Health Minister Patricia Hewitt issued a statement back in
July announcing that by the end of 2008 Primary Care Trusts would not be
employing staff delivering primary care. PCTs and GPs would simply buy in
services from private companies, charities, co-ops, GPs or foundation
trusts.
During the wave of protest which followed it was pointed out that this would
return primary healthcare to pre war (dis) organisation. The government
reluctantly backed down on the central imposition of this target and
devolved responsibility to PCT Boards.
We are now moving towards the appointment of these boards.
They are selected by the 'independent' NHS Appointments Commission (which is
currently trying to force the resignation of a non-exec director in
Oxfordshire for having the temerity to oppose the purchase of unnecessary
cataract procedures from an independent sector [private South African]
Treatment Centre).
If you are a member of UNISON or Amicus please consider joining the lobby.
Please circulate this among colleagues.
UNISON details below ... Amicus details at
http://www.amicustheunion.org/Default.aspx?page=3158
Regards, Mark
Chair UNISON Oxfordshire Health Branch.
www.unisonoxonhealth.org.uk <http://www.unisonoxonhealth.org.uk/>
To: England Health Branches
15th December 2005
Dear Colleague
SHA/PCT PARLIAMENTARY MEETING FOR MEMBERS AND A LOBBY OF PARLIAMENT - DUE TO
BE HELD ON 10 JANUARY 2006
UNISON Health Group and Labour Link are arranging a Parliamentary event
which will bring together a cross section of members who currently work in
SHA/PCTs to meet with UNISON MP's and the Labour Group of MP's. Regional
Heads of Health have been asked to identify members working in SHAs and PCTs
who are affected by the reconfiguration of their service. We want members
who are willing to describe the potential consequences of privatising or
outsourcing of their service on patient care and how it will affect their
job and future career.
It is important that we reflect the full range of occupations working in
PCTs for example the broad family of nursing such as health care assistants,
practice nurses, district nurses, health visitors and community psychiatric
nurses. In addition, therapy staff such as occupational therapists,
counsellors, pharmacy staff including pharmacy technicians. Support staff
such as ancillary, receptionists, practice managers, HR staff and staff that
deliver the public health agenda such as health education and family
planning. There are many more, not least small cottage hospitals and
integrated care arrangements. Members in SHAs particularly those involved in
international recruitment, IWL and Life long learning will be particularly
important.
The UNISON event coincides with a Lobby of Parliament organised by Amicus.
Other health trade unions have been invited to participate.
More details of the UNISON planned event will follow along with more detail
of the Lobby. In the meantime Regional Offices will be getting in touch with
Primary Care and SHA branches to identify representatives to attend the
meeting.
NATIONAL SECRETARY - HEALTH
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