Published: 20 October 2009
NHS Preferred Supplier Pledge from Government
Unite, the largest union in the country have welcomed the government’s statement that the NHS is ‘the preferred provider’ of choice when it comes to delivering services, rather than private sector organisations.
However, Unite will be seeking urgent clarification from Health Secretary, Andy Burnham on the status of social enterprises, following the letter from NHS Chief Executive, David Nicholson reinforcing the ‘preferred provider’ model.
Unite congratulated Andy Burnham for his vision of a unified NHS where trusts would be given the opportunity to improve before private organisations were asked to tender for services.
But Unite pointed out the dichotomy if social enterprises – bodies one step removed from the NHS proper – are still allowed to go ahead.
In his letter to the chief executives of the strategic health authorities and primary care trusts, Mr Nicholson said: ‘The NHS as the preferred provider is about getting the best care for patients and looking after the NHS staff who care for them. Our aim is to ensure that NHS staff are treated fairly and engaged in decisions.’
Karen Reay, Unite National Officer for Health said:
“We welcome the statement that the NHS is the preferred provider of choice – this is something we have been fighting for as we believe that this is the best way of delivering care to patients and clients, rather than a fragmented service.
Andy Burnham is to be congratulated, when he outlined in his recent speech to The Kings Fund, that he made clear that NHS trusts would be given the opportunity to improve first, before tenders for services from the private sector would be considered.
We will be continuing our very constructive dialogue with Andy Burnham on this issue that could affect every NHS patient in the land”.
At present, Unite is supporting its members who are fighting proposals in Medway and Luton to create social enterprises.
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