Break-up of the NHS

Published: 23 July, 2010

• Dr Jacky Davis has analysed the White Paper effectively and pointed out the grave danger the NHS is facing (Handing over your health service, July 16).

Today (Friday) Keep Our NHS Public will present a petition signed by almost 25,000 people to 10 Downing Street.

It reads: “We, the undersigned, are opposed to any further expansion of the role of private sector providers in the NHS. We call for continued access to local, publicly provided services.”

It was started while the last government was in power but is just as relevant to the present Con-Dem coalition’s plans, which, despite the spin being used to hoodwink the public and medical profession, will lead to the NHS logo becoming a brand but with the services outsourced and the present structure broken up.

Do join Keep our NHS Public. To find out more, go to www.keepournhspublic.com

We are fighting the government on a shoestring while it has unlimited use of our taxpayers’ money.

WENDY SAVAGE
Co-chair, Keep Our NHS Public
Vincent Terrace
N1

BY now, it must be absolutely clear that Labour’s “reforms” of the NHS deliberately cleared the way for it to be privatised by outsourcing.

I’m sure that to begin with we won’t notice much change but changes there will be.

I wonder how soon it will be before charges are introduced, say for clean sheets, meals, medication or a private room, and then for “ancillary” treatments, say for having a scan or an X-ray. 

How long will comprehensive care remain?

Will post-surgical treatments such as physio or occupational therapy become chargeable?

Will they exist at all?

How quickly will we be booted out of hospital if we have a long-term illness?

What will happen to mental health provision? What will happen when your hospital is allowed to go bust?

RICHARD ROSSER
Highbury New Park
N5