Labour

Labour forces Commons vote on 49% privatisation of NHS hospitals - Burnham

Andy Burnham MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, urges Lib Dem MPs to respect the wishes of their voters and reject the Government's plans

Labour will today ask MPs to reject Coalition plans to allow NHS hospitals to devote half their beds to the treatment of private patients.

In an Opposition debate on NHS privatisation, Andy Burnham will say the plan to let NHS hospitals earn 49% of income from treating private patients will lead to longer NHS waiting lists and a two-tier health service.

The Prime Minister's plan, announced in the Lords just before the Christmas break, threatens to turn England's hospitals into US-style hospitals, pitting one against another in a competitive market and putting profits before patient care.

Leaked emails from Lib Dem activists reveal huge grassroots concern about the issue and a feeling that Lib Dem MPs are not listening to members.

Monday's debate takes place against the backdrop of the on-going PIP implant scandal. It has raised new questions about the wisdom of the Government's plans to hand a hugely expanded role to the private sector in the delivery of NHS services. The Bill restricts the powers of the Health Secretary to intervene.

Andy Burnham MP said:

"People will be shocked to discover that the Government is allowing NHS hospitals to devote half their beds, appointments and car park spaces to the treatment of private patients. David Cameron's plan opens the door to an explosion of private work in NHS facilities, meaning longer waits for NHS patients and a two-tier health service in England.

"This 49% plan is the starkest sign yet of how our NHS will change if Lansley's Bill gets through. In time, England's hospitals could become like US hospitals, putting pursuit of profits before patient care.

"The PIP scandal is a real warning of how patient care can suffer if the money motive takes a hold over health care. The Government needs to revisit its plans in the light of recent events. If they let the genie out of the bottle, it will be very hard to put back.

"The truth is that Andrew Lansley mis-sold his Health Bill. He presented it as a plan to empower GPs when his real agenda was to turn the NHS into a market-based system.

"Time is running out for the NHS and we urgently need to alert people to what is happening. From here on, Labour will call this Bill as it is - a privatisation plan for the NHS. People have seen through Lansley's spin and this explains why doctors are now overwhelmingly opposed to it.

"This is an illegitimate Bill. Nobody voted for it; it was ruled out by the Coalition Agreement.

"I feel sure that many people who voted Lib Dem at the last election will be aghast at the thought of their votes being used to support the privatisation the NHS.

"It is clear there is huge disquiet in the Lib Dem grassroots about this 49% plan. I hope Lib Dem MPs will listen to their voters and Party members and stand with Labour in rejecting the Government's privatisation plans."

You can sign the petition to drop the bill here