SIR – Labour loyalist Lynn Denham cites the failing finances of care home provider Southern Cross as “a major warning to us all of the risks of privatising the NHS and the ‘any willing provider’ policy” (June 2).
An admirable sentiment but is she aware that NHS privatisation accelerated under New Labour Secretaries of State for Health from 2000?
Alan Milburn agreed a ‘concordat’ in 2000 that would establish private companies as permanent providers of treatment to NHS patients. John Reid said that NHS hospitals that failed to attract patients would close. His successor, Patricia Hewitt, said in 2006 that there was no upper limit to the percentage of NHS work that could be given to the private sector.
The establishment of primary care trusts commissioning private companies, foundation trusts competing with private providers, patient-based pricing and the introduction of ‘choice’ meant that all the elements of a healthcare market were in place by 2004.
I did not hear any howls of protest from Lynn Denham, Worcester Labour Party or its then MP Michael Foster at the time. As for Southern Cross, it was set up when New Labour was in power, no doubt inspired by Gordon Brown’s attitude to the city.
PETER NIELSEN
Worcester
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here